Goa Decided As Single Venue of ISL, State Government Gives Go Ahead
ATK, the defending champions have merged with Mohun Bagan, and the new franchise ATK Mohun Bagan will make their debut in the upcoming ISL season. (Picture courtesy: ISL)
Manohar Ajgaonkar, Sports Minister, Goa, has publicly said that the state is ready to host the Indian Super League (ISL). Ajgaonkar’s statement follows that of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) -- the ISL organisers -- confirming Goa as hosts for the upcoming season.
As it stands, no spectators will be allowed in the stadiums but Ajgaonkar is hopeful that things might change if a solution or vaccine for Covid-19 is found in time.
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"If we manage to find any solution for Covid-19, then we might even allow spectators," he told reporters.
Ajgoankar also stressed that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines provided by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will be followed with utmost strictness.
"We have already given permission for the ISL games in Goa. Football is our state game and through it, we will be pushing for tourism," Ajgaonkar, who not coincidentally also holds the Tourism Ministry portfolio, said.
FSDL announced that the ISL will be played at three venues in Goa -- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim and the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco. Furthermore, keeping in mind the safety norms, all ISL clubs are going to have separate training pitches. Ten such pitches have been identified in the state. They will be upgraded over the next month before being handed it over to respective clubs.
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