The gift of the soccer ground by Dr. Gustavo Monteiro to the Candolim Panchayat was the greatest act of sincere generosity any human being can commit now especially in the post 19.12.61 period of Goa when an average Goan in general and Candoicar mainly the settler in particular is become totally corrupt where he will do anything for acquiring money and more money. This foot-ball ground was gifted by Dr Monteiro to Candolim Panchayat with the clear instruction to the then Panchayat body to use it for the development and promotion of foot-ball among Candolim youth.
In this case, the Candolim boys will have to practice and play their foot-ball on this ground only which is located at the very strategic location. The clear instruction given to the Candolim Panchayat then has to be followed strictly by all the Panchayat bodies without any reservation. And it is the duty of every genuine Candoicar to see to it that the given instructions are implemented by the current Panchayat body headed by the not deep rooted Candoicar whose knowledge of our village is limited. The genuine Candoicars must strongly oppose any wrong move of the non-Candoicar to act arrogant regarding the future of our foot-ball ground. Otherwise there is every possibility for the non-Candoicar and non-Goan to become the Jean Walgean of Victor Hugo as depicted in Les Miserables.
According to the latest available information the Candolim foot-ball ground which is currently under renovation is going to be leased out to one private party for many years and for Candolim youth to play foot-ball another ground is going to be built, it seems, and where it will be? May be Ghanttar or in Karnataka. If this is true then the non-Goan who is playing dirty tricks in our village himself being an outsider will have to pay a very heavy price. Just because this non-Goan and non-Candoicar wielding official power in the village, he should not act arrogant. He should not overstep his authority and he should not underestimate the power of the Goan Candoicars. And he should know one thing as Shakesphere said in Hamlet ‘there are more things in Heaven than what we dreamt”.
The present soccer ground of Candolim was initiated in mid fifties when Dr. Gustavo Monteiro was instrumental in getting it for Candolim youth from the Bishop of Goa in whose custody it was given by the nuns who acquired it to construct a convent/school for the girls. The Bishop at the time of giving this ground into the hands of Dr. Gustavo Monteiro was very clear to say that this ground is to be utilised for the benefit of the local boys only.
However, earlier, in the absence of permanent ground, temporarily our boys converted “Vellechem Xeth”, 5 minutes walk from Candolim Tinto, into a foot-ball ground. Before that, at Murod opposite Candolim Church before the main road going to Nerul, a piece of Communidade Field was temporarily converted into a foot-ball ground where top teams from Goa at inter-village level used to play. So much so, even the teams fielding some of the top “Pakle” players have played there.
Since I have my doubt, I ask openly the following questions to the authorities/persons concerned and expect their reply openly for the sake of transparency:
1.Estimated cost of the project.
2.Contract allotted for how much and from how many quotes?
3.Was the resolution taken in Graham Sabah for this project?
4.What is the source of finance?
A.Veronica Fernandes.