Goa, Aug. 29 -- On the first death anniversary of former Sports Minister Francisco Monte Cruz, the Government of Goa has decided to pay tribute to his pioneering role in shaping the State's sporting landscape by naming a stand at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, in his memory.

Monte Cruz is widely credited with envisioning and building Goa's only international stadium, which went on to host multiple national and international tournaments, including the FIFA U-17 World Cups for both boys and girls. The stadium, completed in just nine months, was inaugurated on January 19, 1989, in time for the prestigious Nehru Cup football tournament.

PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, who had earlier moved the resolution in the Assembly to recog...