Goa: Development of Duler Ground & Tilak Maidan

At the moment good news about infrastructure development is coming from across the country. The latest to join the list are the Goan football venues - Mapusa's Duler Ground and Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

After it had been disclosed that the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) would redevelop the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium as well as Barasat Stadium in Kolkata, yesterday the news came out that the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai can finally be developed as a football stadium.

In good news for Goan football as part of the second phase of the 'Win in India with India' program of world football governing body FIFA both the Tilak Maidan and Duler Ground will get an artificial turf to allow football to be played all year through. In the first phase four turfs were sanctioned with the Bangalore Football Stadium turf ready, while work is on in Mumbai, Shillong and Imphal.

Meanwhile at the Duler Ground in Mapusa earlier this week the work on a roof for the main stand was started with the work set to last 60 days. It is part of the development of the ground with the Goa FA getting further land around the ground to build further stands, while a new turf is also set to be installed.

In Vasco the Tilak Maidan is set for a long-term lease with the AIFF/GFA. The Sports Authority of Goa has conditionally agreed to lease out the Tilak Maidan's playfield to the AIFF to allow the first FIFA-sponsored artificial turf to be laid in Goa. According to the agreement, the AIFF will allow the SAG and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs to use the ground as and when required for sports purpose and not for any other use.

So far it has been good news that these venues will be developed or refurbished, hopefully the work would start soon in the interest of football and its fans.