Women’s cricket in Goa set for major revamp, GCA targets stadium in 3 years
Panaji: Women’s cricket in Goa is set for a major revamp with the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) announcing key decisions, including the establishment of exclusive training centres for girls and a target to begin work on the long-awaited cricket stadium within the next three years.
GCA President Mahesh Dessai briefed the media after the Annual General Body (AGM) meeting held at GCA, Porvorim, on Sunday. Also present were Secretary Tulsidas Shetye, Vice President Paresh Govind Fadte, Treasurer Sayed Abdul Majid, Joint Secretary Ananth Shambu Naik, and Member Mahesh Behki.
Dessai announced that five training centres will be dedicated exclusively for girls. “Six years ago during Vipul Phadke’s tenure as secretary, there were 12 centres and during the past 3 years only 3 centres remained active. Now we have started 20 centres for the Under-16 and Under-14 categories, and of these, 5 centres have been designated as Pink, that is only for girls. This is the way we are going to develop cricket,” he said.
He added that the Association has roped in national-level player Neha Tanwar, “who is doing a wonderful job,” to take women’s cricket forward.
Shetye said that GCA will organize intra-centre competitions. “This is our main motive. Based on the performance of the players in the two age groups who will play each other among the 20 centres, the selectors will select the state teams,” he said.
Speaking on the delayed cricket stadium, Dessai said, “We will try to build the stadium in the next three years. The government will fully support us. I know the Chief Minister will back us. He is a very good sportsman and I know he will not deny our request. I have full confidence.”
Emphasising the need for the stadium, he said, “The General Body has discussed the issue and directed that the committee has been told to decide the location for the stadium. Mostly, they want it at Dhargal, but some were suggesting Mauliguem. Dhargal has better connectivity to Mopa airport. There are hotels as well, hence it is a better place, but we want it at any location as Goans want a cricket stadium.”
Shetye said that permissions are in place for construction. “Whatever permissions have lapsed have been put up for renewal. Also, an order has been passed to remove the high-tension wires at the location,” he said.
Vowing to take Goa cricket to the next level, Dessai said, “We have taken the initiative and hired Pritam Gande for the Under-16 team. He has played over 100 Ranji matches and has taken more than 335 wickets. His level is quite good and the children are developing well under his tutelage.”
Dessai, who took over as GCA President recently, said that he has full backing of all the clubs.
“I have the support of the clubs, everyone is positive and everything is progressing smoothly. We are solely focusing on cricket now. Earlier the choice of selectors was not up to mark. Now we are selecting former Ranji players as selectors for the senior team. Even for the junior team, we have selectors who have played Ranji cricket as well as state level. The general body has appreciated our step,” he said.
Appreciating the Ranji team’s performance, Dessai said, “They are performing exceedingly well. I thank the coach. There is no interference from the committee in the selection of the team, and we have given full freedom to the coach to field the team he wants. That is why the performance has been good. The women’s team is also doing well.”
On financial matters, he said, “We will consult financial experts so as to not misuse funds. We have ex-cricketers on our panel and I am confident they will do a wonderful job.”
Shetye announced plans to revive the Goa Premier League (GPL). “We have decided that we want to conduct the GPL again. There has been a break of nearly nine years. We definitely want to have it again,” he said.
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