Finally, Monte Cruz to get a stand in his name at Fatorda

Panaji: Francisco Monte Cruz and the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda are synonymous with each other.In early 1988, it was Monte Cruz, as the sports minister, who had assured the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that a stadium would be built within a year and requested them to allot the Nehru Cup to Goa.

Impressed with his confidence, the AIFF agreed to hold the next tournament in the state with the condition that they would conduct periodic inspections and only give the final approval subject to the progress of work. Just eight months after laying the foundation stone, the stadium was inaugurated on Jan 19, 1989, helping the sports minister leave a lasting legacy.The govt has now taken the initiative of implementing the long-standing resolution moved by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat in the Assembly of naming a stand at Fatorda after the former minister, who passed away last year. "I have spoken with the chief minister and within the next two months, we will duly recognise the outstanding contribution of late Monte Cruz in building the stadium. We will announce the plan within the next two weeks," said Kamat, recently appointed PWD minister.On the occasion of the first death anniversary, Kamat met Vijay Monte Cruz and Hema Fernandes, the son and daughter of the late sports minister at his residence on Wednesday and discussed plans to name a stand after the former sports minister.

The meeting was also attended by Goa Football Association (GFA) President Caitano Fernandes, former minister Avertano Furtado, Padma Shri awardee Brahmanand Shankwalkar, GFA Executive Committee members, former players and football promoters.Since being built, the stadium has hosted multiple national and international tournaments, which includes the FIFA U17 World Cups for both boys and girls.