Goa govt to probe if Bandodkar gold trophy replaced

The Goa government will probe allegations that the prestigious Bandodkar Gold Cup trophy was replaced with one made of a cheaper metal, Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar announced in the Legislative Assembly today.

It is one of the most expensive sports trophies made of pure gold plating.

NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, who also owns Churchill Brothers Football Club, alleged that the trophy was switched.

"Bandodkar Gold Cup Trophy was always made from pure gold. It was a very heavy trophy. When it used to be brought in a stadium, several policemen used to guard it," Alemao said.

"But now the Goa Football Association (GFA) claims that it is not made of gold. So where is the gold trophy gone?" he questioned.

Bandodkar Gold Cup is the oldest and prestigious tournament in Goa which is organised by the Goa Football Association.

Alemao claimed that the Gold Cup, valued at Rs 20 lakh in 1999 as per the GFA, was switched surreptitiously to a less precious metal.

"....GFA claims that the gold in the trophy is only 11 per cent," he wondered.

Alemao claimed the trophy used to be kept in a bank locker.

Responding to the demand for investigation, Ajgaonkar said the Sports department will conduct an enquiry into the matter.

"I will move a note to the chief Minister for detail enquiry. Whether the investigation will be conducted by an IAS officer or a retired judge, it will be decided by the CM," he said.

The minister said he had himself seen in the past that the trophy was made of entire gold.

"When I used to go to watch football matches, we were not even allowed to go close to the trophy," he recalled.