With temperatures at 32 degrees C and the threat of
unseasonal showers in the past few days ago, the
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, South Goa,
India, built in a record time of six months by the
then Indian National Congress Minister for Sports
Government of Goa, Mr Francisco Monte Cruz then MLA of
Benaulim, (where the teams are lodged at the Taj
Exotica ) with an official seating capacity of 27,500
will witness the third ODI between England and India
at 0900 hrs tommorrow 3rd April 2006. Incidentally the
highest turnout at the stands was 43,000 at the
inaugural Football match in 1989
This time the tickets sale was orderly, the designated
Syndicate Bank did the honours for ticket sale in the
order of Rs.400/- 750/- 1000/- and 2000/- Sale of
tickets was brisk. There were volunteer passes
distributed by M/s United Breweries of Kingfisher most
of the Sports clubs received their quota of tickets
for distribution. There were T shirts blue with the
Indian logo being sold for Rs.100/-
Nevertheless this morning and last evening too tickets
were on sale in black the quote was Rs.700 for the
lowest denomination but that figure went down to as
low as Rs 600 by dusk.
One of the reasons for an element of paranoi in the
minds of probable spectators and the slightly less
interest in witnessing the game from the Nehru stadium
is a) the threat of a bomb blast at the venue (ever
since the 2nd March,2006 Curchorem - Cacora - Gulemol
- riots, the arrest of a terrorist in Sirvodem Margao
Goa, the unaccompanied bag scare at State Bank of
India Panaji the alleged terrorist scare at Military
area Ponda and the recent nabbing of a Vasco da Gama
Goa based terrorist in Karnataka a couple of days ago
) b) the events at the 2nd ODI in North India which
witnessed a rampage of non ticket holders seeking
unathorised entry which resulted in the severe lathi
charge on an innocent child accompanied by her mother
in North India-- being highlighted on the visual media
since yesterday c) the prospects of unseasonal rains
which could wash away the aspirations of ticket
holders d) the first day of week long the SSC
examinations many Goans would prefer to see the game
on the idiot box in the confines of their homes.
It may be recalled that the Lord Damodar -- Gulal
festivities at Zambaulim witnessed the lowest turnover
just 23% in recent times.
Today morning there was crowd of spectators yearning
to see the players at the practice session -- However
security forces Central Reserve Police being deployed
ensured that the enthusiasm of the onlookers was
restricted only to outer bounds of Gate limits.
Incidentally this could as well be the last ODI being
played at Fatorda which forms a part of the Margao
Municipal Council. If all goes well by the time the
next ODI opportunity comes Goa's way it could be held
at either Tivim or Guirim in Bardez Taluka in North
Goa District the venue of Goa's first Cricket Stadium,
promised by the Board of Cricket Control Vice
President Mr Dayanand Narvekar also Minister of State
for Health.
For the Minister for Health Government of Goa Mr
Narvekar this ODI is of great importance. The cast of
the organising Committee consists of mostly the same
that was unsuccessfully accused by the previous BJP
led Mr Manohar Parrikar Government in the
inconclusively investigated "ticket gate scam"
involving Mr Narvekar and others.
Incidentally Mr Narvekar LL.M an ex MGP MLA is
credited as the architect of the downfall of the 17
year Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party led by Ms
Sashikala Bandodkar( daughter of late Dayanand
Bandodkar Goa's first Chief Minister )when he
alongwith then Rivona MLA Mr Dilkush Desai (who
survived a bullet attack and is now partially
incapacitated and resides at Margao ) It was their
defection from the MGP which then resulted in
Presidents Rule for the first time and the electoral
victory of the Congress- Urs (led by Devraj Urs) which
later defected enmasse to the Congress - Indira in
1980.
Therefore for Mr Narvekar and company -- they are not
taking any chances and the gates will be thrown open
by 0600 hrs (unlike the last time when the gates
opened only an hour before the match 0800 hrs leading
to a mob frenzy and gate crashers) and the approach to
the venue will be restricted to genuine ticket holders
only, with multiple checks. The entire stadium has
been provided with a sun protective canopy, afresh
paint and the ground done up with the pitch promising
over 250 runs as per the considered opinion of the
grounds man. There are CCTC closed circuit TV cameras
"in situ " and lunch and snacks will be served within
the stadium making movement outside restricted to
some extent.
This writer who visited the venue just before the
England team arrived for their practice session found
that there is much to be desired as far as movement of
vehicular traffic is concerned and an unforseen
catastrophe. The narrow roads at the Fatorda Church
end should have been cleared of all
