FC Goa, one of the best clubs from the state who ply their trade in India’s top tier were recently held at the receiving end of bureaucratic malice.
With a change in power at the helm of Salvador do Mundo Gram Panchayat, the club’s practice ground was reportedly dug up to pave a cricket pitch.
The local governing body claimed to have received no revenue in the past year, contrast to the agreement which was in place to ensure development of two football grounds – one for the club’s first team as its practice ground and the other which was developed for the use of the local residents with the primary aim of providing a good playing ground for the general public to avail. The club was whilst exempted from any rent for the use of the said facility.
As per FC Goa’s release, the club entered into a 3-year partnership with the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat in May 2020 with an intent to further grow the Goan and Indian football ecosystem. But the event which followed in was quite unfortunate as the Gaurs are now forced to move out of their training venue and will continue with their proceedings for the season at Sesa academy’s ground.
Having invested lakhs of rupees, such practise has definitely harmed the club as well as the football ecosystem and might lead to some ‘totally uncalled for’ consequences. Professional clubs going hand in hand with the local bodies opened up plethora of avenues for both the parties. Sadly such breach of contract can have a long term impact on initiatives like these.
Investments in local footballing infrastructure is of paramount importance for the development of the sport at the grassroot levels and the aforementioned instances put prospective opportunities at stake. It is said that the matter will be pursued by adhering to legal remedies and we all can hope that it gets resolved at the earliest.
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