BJP Government Putting Goa on Sale: GPCC Slams Move to Hand Over Campal Sports Complex to Private Operators

Goa Khabar: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Media & Communications Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar has strongly condemned the BJP Government’s decision to lease the newly developed Campal Sports Complex to a private operator for ten years, calling it yet another attempt to auction Goa’s public assets for commercial interests.

“The BJP Government has developed a dangerous habit of using taxpayers’ money to build public infrastructure and then handing it over to private companies for profit. This is nothing but privatization through the back door,” Panjikar said.

The Campal Sports Complex, spread across nearly 40,000 square metres and built at a cost of around ₹30 crore under the Smart City Mission, was funded entirely with public money. The world-class facility includes a football ground, jogging track, children’s play area, sports academy space, restaurant area, parking facilities and other public amenities. It was envisioned as a sports hub for Goa’s youth and citizens—not as a commercial business venture.

“It is shocking that despite remaining virtually ready for almost three years, the BJP Government deliberately kept the facility inaccessible to the people. Instead of opening it for Goan youth, sportspersons and families, it now wants to hand over its operation to private event managers and commercial operators,” Panjikar stated.

He alleged that this reflects a larger pattern under the Pramod Sawant Government.

“One after another, public properties are being surrendered to private interests. We witnessed this with the Dona Paula Jetty, Fort Aguada, Porvorim Gymkhana and several other public assets. The Campal Sports Complex is the latest victim of the BJP’s privatization agenda. The Government appears more interested in creating business opportunities for select private operators than serving the people of Goa.”

Panjikar warned that privatization would inevitably result in higher user charges, commercial events taking priority over sports, restricted public access and the exclusion of ordinary Goan youth, especially those from economically weaker families.

“The government’s token promise of reserving a few days for official events or a small percentage of seats for underprivileged youth is merely an eyewash. Public ownership cannot be replaced with cosmetic conditions while the entire facility is converted into a profit-making enterprise.”

He said Goa desperately needs more affordable playgrounds and sports infrastructure at a time when young athletes struggle to find quality training facilities.

“Sports infrastructure built with public money must remain in public hands. The BJP Government has no moral authority to convert people’s assets into commercial businesses.”

The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the proposal to lease the Campal Sports Complex and called upon the Government to open the facility without further delay under transparent public management exclusively for the benefit of Goan youth, sportspersons and citizens.

Panjikar appealed to sports associations, youth organisations, parents, athletes and all concerned Goans to unite against what he described as the systematic commercialization of Goa’s public infrastructure.

“The BJP must understand one simple principle: Public money must create public assets for public welfare—not private profits. Goa is not for sale, and neither is the Campal Sports Complex.”