Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 26: The Goa government will install an actual-size statue of Diego Maradona in the coastal belt of the north district by early next year, a senior minister said.

State Ports Minister Michael Lobo, representing the Calangute constituency on the BJP ticket, said that the statue of Maradona is already taking shape with Maharashtra-based artist working on the mould.

The statue would be installed somewhere at Candolim or Calangute to inspire the football-playing youth, he said adding that the statue would be installed within two months.

“The mould of the statue is ready. It would be ready within two months. It is an actual size statue as tall as that of the height of late Maradona,” Lobo said.

The statue weighing 350 kg is a part of the state government’s initiative to encourage football culture in the state, he said.

Lobo said that the statue of the football legend Christiano Ronaldo is also being prepared which will be installed in the north district of the state.