GOA GOVERNMENT'S RS 1 MILLION FOOTBALL HOLIDAY By Marcus Mergulhao [EMAIL PROTECTED] Herald, May 28, 2006
PANJIM, May 27: A State that drags its feet on the Campal stadium, keeps salary of a boxing coach on hold for months, and dilly-dallies on clearing organisational bills, has more than enough in its kitty to fund an eight-member delegation for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. ---------------------------------- IN TODAY'S NEWS * 2 teachers caught at tuition classes, Curchorem/Quepem.H * Now read Bible in Konkani, release on June 4. (H) * I'm not eyeing CM's post, says Ravi. (NT) * Frequent power failures affect services at GMC (NT) * Goa may have 4000-Mw coal-based power station. (NT) * Pre-monsoon showers dampen 'purmentachem fest' (GT) * Bailancho Saad suggests measures for riot victims. (GT) ---------------------------------- The Goa government will spend close to Rs 1 million as the Sports Authority of Goa funds an eight-member delegation, including three ministers, on a royal German holiday. The team comprises of Sports Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, Power Minister Digambar Kamat, Panchayat Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Loutolim MLA Aleixo Sequeira, SAG executive director V M Prabhudesai, SAG treasurer Mario Pinto and Arjuna award winners Brahamanand Shankwalkar and Bruno Coutinho. Except for Bruno and Brahmanand, the remainder of the six members will leave for Germany on June 7, in time for the opener between hosts Germany and Costa Rica at the World Cup stadium in Munich. The two Arjuna awardees, both Directors of Coaching, will leave on June 9 and sample the excitement World Cup provides when Italy and Ghana square up in Hanover. While no financial details were being made available, Herald understands that the junket could cost the exchequer Rs 1 million. This would include airfares (approx Rs 32,000 each), internal travel, accommodation (approx Rs 2,650 per day), and a daily allowance of $75 (approx Rs 3500). The delegates have got tickets for only one or two matches at the most, but the delegation will be soaking in the World Cup atmosphere for almost a fortnight. "There is so much to do apart from just watching the matches. We will be looking at the infrastructure, studying their organizational capabilities and meeting officials. It will be an experience of a lifetime," justifies Prabhudessai. Besides, Prabhudessai claimed, they had contacts within the German Football Federation who could provide for additional tickets once they touched Germany. ---------------------------------- EXPENDITURE DETAILS: Per person Total for 8 Airfare Rs 32,000 Rs 2,56,000 Accommodation Rs 2,650 Rs 3,18,000 Daily allowance Rs 3,500 Rs 4,20,000 ---------------------------------- That, however, seems a bit far-fetched as fans all around the world are bidding thousands of euros for tickets online, even though organisers have warned that they risk being turned away at the stadiums. For security reasons, tickets for the World Cup are personalised with the buyer's name and are not transferable except under special circumstances. (ENDS) _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)