ISL shortlists five practice grounds in North and South Goa

 

A Single window clearance by Government of Goa to Indian Super League (ISL) helped nudge Kerala to stage ISL 7 of season 2020-2021. “Goa was quick. The three grounds in Goa and most of the practice grounds are handled by SAG unlike in Kerala where not all grounds belonged to the government,” disclosed an ISL source on condition of anonymity.

Goa and Kerala were shortlisted to stage ISL 7 and despite the accolades won by the latter in handling the Pandemic, the former were also zeroed in because of the proximity of infrastructure to stage the event for the ten participating teams from November 23, 2020 to March 20, 2021.

“The three stadiums, the practice grounds for the ten teams, the hotels and the medical facilities are in close proximity to each other. That’s one of the beauties of Goa being small,” stated the source.

Nehru stadium in Fatorda , Tilak maidan in Vasco and Athletic stadium in Bambolim will be the three grounds used whilst ten grounds – from sixteen suggested by Sports Authority of Goa (SAG)- will be assigned to each team as practice grounds.

The three grounds selected to host the matches have all been used for international and national matches in the past and except for Tilak maidan in Vasco, ISL intends to augment the flood lights and drainage at the grounds.

“Five teams are going to be based in the South and five in the North. The organisers have asked for five grounds in both the places. The Vaddi ground in Benaulim and our grounds in Utorda , Betalbatim and Navelim are going to be used as practice grounds. The Nagoa ground- which belongs to the Panchayat- is being organised for them too,” stated Mahesh Revankar , secretary of stadiums with SAG.

“ The Poriat ground in Calnagute, the Gustavo Monteiro ground in Candolim , the ground in Peddem Sports Complex , the ground in Morjim and the ground in Parra have been shortlisted for the teams staying in the North,” added Mahesh.

“The organisers will need to work on the floodlights of the three main grounds,” informed Mahesh who negotiated with ISL on behalf of the government.

 “The organisers wanted only grass grounds.  The grounds belonging to Dempo SC and Sesa Football Academy (SFA) could not be utilised as they are needed for the boys from their Academy,” stated Mahesh.

“The ISL team will be visiting Goa in the first week of September to take possession of all grounds. They want to handover the practice grounds to all teams by September 25,” stated Mahesh.