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 the site after the statue was unveiled this week in the town of Calangute.
They expressed anger that authorities had shunned Indian sports stars and chosen a player from Portugal, which granted Goa independence in 1961.
Micky Fernandes, a former Indian international player who is from Goa, said the choice was “hurt-ful” and a “hangover” from Portuguese rule.
“Ronaldo is the best player in the world but still we should have a statue of a football player from Goa,” Fernandes said.
Michael Lobo, a local minister with India’s rul-ing Bharatiya Janata Party, said the aim was to in-spire young people to excel not just inside the coun-try but internationally.
“All the boys and girls who want to make foot-ball a career will get inspired by people like Cris-tiano Ronaldo,” Lobo said.
“If you pursue your dream and you’re passion-ate about it then you can reach a higher goal.—AFP
