Francis a shot in the arm for Goa's sports infrastructure?????

Many centuries ago Spanish-born Jesuit catholic priest Francis Xavier braved the high seas on a mission to connect Europe to Asia through Christainity..

Many centuries ago Spanish-born Jesuit catholic priest Francis Xavier braved the high seas on a mission to connect Europe to Asia through Christianity.

In the present day era many Christian families have Francis as their first names.

The Goa government is not far behind in latching on the popular sentiments of the people.

A scheme, named Francis, has been launched by the Urban Development department to connect the city dwelling children to sports.

Incidentally, the Urban Development Minister in the BJP coalitation government hailing from the Christian community and also has a first name Francis (de Souza).

Fair Recreational Activity and non Competitive Involvement in Sports, Urban Connect Scheme 2013, In Short, FRANCIS Urban Connect Scheme 2013, is a scheme of Assistance for the use of urban spaces for Recreation and Sport, according to Urban Development Ministry website.

The objective is to provide safe play areas for healthy recreation and sports to the Urban communities accessible within a distance of not more than 3 kms.

“Urbanisation has caused deprivation of open spaces to the urban communities who predominantly stay in apartment blocks. For the rural kid, the environment around itself is a playground. But for the Urban counterpart, the opportunity of exposure to air and sunshine is slowly vanishing. Due to confinement in the apartment s, the kids while away their time on video games, TV viewing, mobile phones and Internet. The impairment of their health as a result is a cause of concern,” says the Preamble of the scheme.

The government is concerned about the situation and aims to bring sports infrastructure to the doorsteps of the city

dwellers.

“The Government understands the limitations of urban communities in getting access to safe spaces for sport and recreation. Many of the town schools do not have any Playgrounds to impart physical education or conduct sports activity. Those schools that do have spaces do not have the resources to develop the facilities and share it with the less fortunate,” it adds.

“To meet this situation and inculcate a strong sports, fitness and recreational culture in the development of the local urban communities, the Government through this scheme intends to connect with the Urban population by providing assistance in developing safe Play areas.”

This Scheme shall operate within the provisions of the Integrated Development of Major Towns Scheme (IDMT) and the nodal agency

will be the Goa State Urban Development Agency  and the Member Secretary of the Goa State Urban Development Agency will

be the nodal officer.

 Besides the 14 Municipal Bodies in the state, schools, colleges, registered sports clubs, registered housing societies and other

registered bodies espousing the cause of physical fitness and sport are eligible to be beneficiaries under the scheme.

The eligibility parameters  says : “Owning land not less than 2000sq meters within the Municipal

jurisdiction shall be eligible for the benefit under this scheme, provided that an applicant whose land falls in any of the peripheral Panchayat jurisdiction may be considered as eligible.

 The following are listed as Permissible Activities under the scheme:  “Walking Track, Volleyball Court, Basketball Court, Athletics Track of length 200 meters, Football Field of Dimension of 30X40 meters, Hockey field of dimension of 40X20 meters, Artificial Rock climbing

Wall, Tennis Court.”

Dimension may vary depending on the land availability and multipurpose use of the surfaces may be permissible subject to

feasibility,” it adds

The eligibility  to get funds under the scheme also covers, Changing Rooms for Men and women, Toilet block, Storage space for equipment , illumination, Mild Steel fencing , and such other requirements as may in the opinion of the Nodal Officer be essential, shall also be permitted.

With a view to maintain focus on the official Sport of Goa, Football shall get preference for FIFA approved synthetic turfs, the Goa government  scheme declares

Incidentally, the former Director of Director of Urban Development Elvis Gomes and the President of Goa Football Association (GFA) and former member secretary of the Goa Football Development Council used to function as a Nodal Officer of the

scheme when the scheme was launched.

Gomes, who hails from Cuncolim and contested from the AAP ticket from Cuncolim constituency and lost in the 2017 assembly elections has been former president of Cuncolim Union, and  Cuncolim club is be the first club to get all the ticks for the scheme.

The agency says the proposals for hockey and athletic tracks will be accepted if they meet the guidelines laid by the international governing body for the twin sports.

“If in the opinion of the Nodal Agency scope exists for laying IAAF and FIH approved synthetic surfaces for Athletics and Hockey, it may be considered.

The Nodal Agency may consider segmenting the users into working mothers, retired persons, adults and children including physically challenged, to meet their specific need of recreation and sport. So also value additions may be introduced in the form of providing a reading space,skill promotion such as painting, photography, origami etc, the agency adds.

The beneficiaries of the scheme are expected to execute an MOU with the Nodal Agency on the following approach: “Generally free access to non formal facilities, Affordable Pay and Play Schemes, Availability of Coaching facilities, Encouraging corporate sponsorships, Encouraging PPP model of development for future sustainability, Establish Linkage with the respective local Sports Association.”

The Nodal Agency will draw a feasibility report, design, build and transfer to the beneficiary  and create a sound management structure for the management of the facility, carry out periodic community impact studies not later than a period of 2 years.

The Government through the Nodal Agency shall provide for funding under the scheme as follows; A Class Municipal Councils upto Rs. 3.0 Crores, Corporation B Class Municipal Councils upto Rs. 2.5 Crores C Class Municipal Council upto Rs. 1 Crore.

All the applications will be scrutinized by a committee.

“The Director shall appoint a scrutiny committee to scrutinize and recommend each case to the Nodal Officer who in consultation with the Chairman of the Nodal Agency, approve each case for benefit under the scheme.”

The Nodal Agency may appoint experts in the field of such sports and recreational infrastructure for suitable designs and building of the safe play areas and the validity of the scheme will be valid for a period of 2 Years from the date of its publication in the official Gazette .