Calangute, India, Dec 31 (AFP\/APP):A statue of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has caused a stir in the southern Indian state of Goa, with locals accusing officials of insensitivity for honouring a sports star from the region’s former colonial power.<\/p>\n
Protesters with black flags gathered at the site after the statue was unveiled this week in the town of Calangute.<\/p>\n
They expressed anger that authorities had shunned Indian sports stars and chosen a player from Portugal, which granted Goa independence in 1961.
\nMicky Fernandes, a former Indian international player who is from Goa, said the choice was “hurtful” and a “hangover” from Portuguese rule.<\/p>\n
“Ronaldo is the best player in the world but still we should have a statue of a football player from Goa,” Fernandes told AFP.<\/p>\n
Michael Lobo, a local minister with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, told AFP the aim was to inspire young people to excel not just inside the country but internationally.<\/p>\n
“All the boys and girls who want to make football a career will get inspired by people like Cristiano Ronaldo,” Lobo said.<\/p>\n
“If you pursue your dream and you’re passionate about it then you can reach a higher goal. This is what we have written on the plaque.”
\nMost of present-day India gained independence in 1947.<\/p>\n
But Portugal’s then military dictatorship only relinquished Goa following an invasion by the Indian army and a two-day war in 1961.<\/p>\n
Portugal’s centuries-long influence remains visible in local architecture, particularly the many churches. Many people in Goa have Portuguese-origin surnames.<\/p>\n
Unlike in most of India, many Goans prefer football to cricket — and many support Portugal in international tournaments such as the World Cup.
\n“I follow (Portugal) too but when we have our own players we cannot put up a statue of someone from outside,” Fernandes said.<\/p>\n
It is not the first time a statue of Ronaldo, 36, has caused an upset.
\nA grinning bust unveiled at Madeira airport in Portugal in 2017 was widely ridiculed as looking little like its subject.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Calangute, India, Dec 31 (AFP\/APP):A statue of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has caused a stir in the southern Indian state of Goa, with locals accusing officials of insensitivity for honouring a sports star from the region’s former colonial power. Protesters with black flags gathered at […]<\/p>\n
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