Panaji, June 30 : Social Worker Dattaprasad Naik on Tuesday demanded that the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) be dissolved and restructured as “Entertainment and Exhibition Sports Goa (ESG),” alleging that the state government has commercialised sports infrastructure at the expense of athletes and the public.

Addressing a press conference along with other concerned citizens, Naik claimed that facilities built to promote sports are increasingly being diverted for commercial activities. He cited the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, stating that the indoor sports complex has effectively been converted into an exhibition and entertainment venue.

“This government has turned a sports facility into a commercial hub, defeating the very purpose for which it was built,” Naik alleged.

He also criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, claiming that despite having influence in the Goa Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he failed to secure better facilities for cricketers and was later defeated in the Goa Cricket Association elections. Naik further alleged that similar neglect was visible in badminton and other sports.

Referring to the Campal Sports Ground, Naik said the facility, developed with public funds to promote football, athletics and other sporting activities, had been leased to private operators after citizens waited years for its completion.

Questioning the government’s decision, Naik asked why the project was not implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model from the outset, whether taxpayer-funded infrastructure should become commercially inaccessible, and why young athletes, educational institutions and local sports clubs were being denied affordable access. He also questioned whether residents of Panaji and Taleigao, who had long awaited the facility, were now being sidelined.

Naik maintained that sports infrastructure is an investment in public health, youth development and community welfare rather than a commercial asset. He said decisions concerning such facilities must be transparent, involve public consultation and safeguard public access.

He added that if private agencies are entrusted with maintenance, agreements should ensure affordable user charges, reserved hours for public use and priority access for local athletes.

“Government infrastructure should first benefit the citizens who funded it. Development should not come at the cost of public access. Public assets must remain public in purpose,” Naik said.