FIFA gives green signal for artificial turfs in Goa

Panaji: As part of the ambitious `Win in India with India programme`, FIFA has given its nod to lay two artificial fields in Goa.

The All India Football Federation has confirmed that the FIFA technical team, which visited Goa last month, has found four venues "technically feasible" to lay the artificial turfs, two of which -- Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Duler ground, Mapusa -- will reap the benefit. AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco, in a communique to Goa Football Association (GFA) early this week, has informed that FIFA development office has approved sanction of two artificial football turfs in Goa. Colaco also said that the decision has been endorsed and confirmed at the emergency committee meeting of the AIFF in the presence of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, Mohammad Bin Hammam, AFC vice-president Manilal Fernando and David Borja from the FIFA Development office in Zurich. The Don Bosco ground in Panaji, and Cuncolim ground has been shortlisted as the alternate venues, if the Sports Authority of Goa or Goa Football Association, who own either stadium, turn their backs on the project. "We have received a communique from the AIFF informing us that Tilak Maidan has been approved," confirmed SAG executive director V M Prabhudesai. The SAG were initially hesitant to sign the mandatory Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and instead suggested changes. PTI