Chairman of Goa Rehabilitation Board and Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai said that the proposed Cumbarjua bridge has been approved for Rs 3 crores and it will be built before the monsoon.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Rajesh Faldessai Chashak 2024 All Goa Panchayat and Municipality Level Floodlight Heavy Ball Cricket Tournament at Cumbarjua which is being held from March 3 to 7.
36 teams from across the state are participating in this floodlight tournament organised by Cumbarjua Boys.
The winning team will be awarded Rs 2.5 lakhs, 2nd prize Rs 1.25 lakhs, and the semi-finalists will get Rs 40,000 each.
Urging the participating teams to play in the spirit of brotherhood, Faldessai said that whether the prize money is big or small does not matter, and what is important is that the youth must showcase their talent.
“We have organised this tournament for teams from all over the state because we want our youth to showcase their talent. We have had Goan cricketers like Swapnil Asnodkar who have played in the IPL. We want more players like him to make it to the national team and even play internationally. The large prize is a motivation for them. We are also planning tournaments for football, volleyball, and badminton. I also plan to have a Ranji standard ground soon here,” he said.
He urged the youth to participate in such tournaments and programmes.
“The youth should stray on the wrong path. We are holding shigmo floats so we want the youth to participate. We had even announced Rs 1 lakh for the fugadi competition and even every participating team got Rs 10,000 because they put in a lot of effort for nearly 1 month. We also want to motivate women,” he said.
He also said that many projects are lined up in the constituency.
“The CM is busy. The Gaundalim overbridge project has been passed for Rs 45 crores. Although he has told me to inaugurate it, I have requested that he do it. He has consented to inaugurate it. As I assured, we will start the work on the approach road to the bypass road from the Cumbarjua bridge before the code of conduct comes into effect. The Rs 3-crore Cumbarjua bridge project has been passed by PWD. Even if the code comes into effect, it won’t affect it as the file has been passed and work will start soon, and it will be ready before monsoon,” he said.
Chief organiser of the tournament, Prashant Bhandari, thanked Faldessai for entrusting this responsibility to him to organise this tournament.
“Such a grand tournament has been organised with the blessing of the MLA. We always have his support,” he said.
Cumbarjua sarpanch Nandakumar Shet said that a large prize money of Rs 2.5 lakhs for a cricket tournament had been announced earlier. He urged the youth to learn about discipline, hard work, sportsman spirit, and fitness and idolise the game in this tournament and keep their feet grounded.
“I have not seen such a floodlight tournament in the last 25 years of my political career and cricket playing days. Many MLAs have come and gone in the past 20 years, but our MLA’s vision is forward-thinking. He is organsing so many programmes. we are happy to work with him. Even in the panchayat if we have work, we can complete work smoothly. Even in the fugadi and bhajan competitions, the prize was Rs 1 lakh, which is the first time such a large amount has been announced never see before. No other MLA in the past has taken such an initiative. Our MLA takes forward the women, youth, artists, etc, and acknowledges their efforts. I urge the MLA to continue this good work
Speaking at the event, Babu Raikar said, “Our MLA’s vision is beyond sports. He has given 4 rickshaws for waste collection. Even the Krishi Setu was possible thanks to him,” he said.
Panch members and other dignitaries were also present.