All reports by courtesy: Herald, Goa

Taleigao, April 1: The entry gates at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda will be opened at 6 am on April 3, for the India-England one-day international to be held at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.

This was convened to the Goa Police DGP Niraj Kumar by the Goa Cricket Association president during the former’s visit at the stadium.

Niraj Kumar inspected the various entry and exit points at the stadium and inquired about the security arrangements.
Speaking about the traffic plan the sources in the Goa traffic police informed the road leading to the main gate of the Nehru Stadium will be closed for public as only the residents and the VIPs will be given access.

About the parking facilities, the source disclosed, “only VIP vehicles will be parked in the stadium premises while the other will be on the joggers park (SAG grounds) and the KTC parking areas will be used for parking.

Elaborating further, he said, the South and West Stand tickets or pass holders will have to park their vehicles at the KTC parking lot while the North and East Stand ticket holders will have to use SAG joggers park for parking.

“Around 13,000 to 15,000 two wheelers and cars can easily be parked in this areas,” the source said.
Around 350 traffic police, under the supervision of SP Atmaram Deshpande will be on duty from midnight on April 2 for the smooth flow of traffic.

The DGP was accompanied by SP Atmaram Deshpande, SP Shekhar Prabhudesai, DySP Tony Fernandes, PI Dharmesh Angle and PI Santosh Desai.

Meanwhile, the Top Group security will arrive on April 1 and take over the security of the stadium.

Giant digital giant screen will be in operation

Margao: For the first time in the history of the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, the digital giant screens will be installed for the third India-England one-day international to be held on April 3.

“The technicians were installing the giant screen in the North-East section of the Stadium” informed Goa Cricket Association secretary Chetan Dessai.

Asked what was the cost of installing the same, Desai said, “Chennai-based Technology Frontiers Pvt Ltd based company has volunteered to install the same free of cost.”

Meanwhile, the technicians have begun work on the sound system.

Also, the close circuit cameras of Samsung make have already been installed at the various points at the stadium.
The security cameras, according to Desai, will help keep strict vigil on the spectators in the stands and areas outside the stadium.

In all, 15 cameras have been installed at a cost of Rs 30 lac.

Meanwhile, the time has been running out for the Sports Authority of Goa to complete the works undertaken on the toilets.
In fact, SAG executive director had set a deadline for completion of the work in a bid to ensure a smooth trip for those visiting the Nehru stadium to witness the one-dayer.

However, despite SAG adopting round-the-clock work schedule, the work has not completed yet.

Distribution of SAG passes as per ED’s whims & fancies: staff

Panaji: While the Sports Authority of Goa claims to have spent Rs 3 crore in giving the Nehru Stadium (Fatorda) a facelift, it has spent little or no thought for its employees.

Ahead of the April 3 One-Day International between India and England, 500-odd SAG employees are up in arms against the Authority for being ignored in the allocation of passes.

In a faxed message to the Herald, employees under the banner of Employees Association of SAG, have strongly criticised Executive Director V M Prabhudessai for choosing a few of his favourites in handing over the passes on Tuesday, March 28.

The ‘favourites’ include Director of Coaching Brahmanand Shankwalkar (2 passes), Joint Director Bruno Coutinho (2 passes), Sports Officer Eugenio Cardozo (1 pass), Project Director Monica Lobo (1 pass) and Vasudev Bhandari (2 passes) while several others, including the Head Clerk, were said to have been ignored.

At Fatorda, only Stadium Manager Guru Vernekar and Asst Stadium Manager John Fernandes were fortunate enough in receiving the passes.

“The Executive Director distributes passes as per his whims and fancies,” the letter states.

The SAG has already received its quota of 1,000 passes for the ODI, but where have these passes gone? is the question on the lips of its staffers.

SAG staff at the Nehru Stadium (Fatorda) have been handed over separate identity cards, but most, if not all, fear they could be left out if there happens to be no clear instructions at the entry points, on the day of the match.
Till late on Thursday evening, none of the SAG employees at its headquarters in Panjim were provided passes, or separate identity cards.

Despite repeated attempts, SAG  ED V M Prabhudessai  was not available for comments.