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 regionâs former colonial power, IgbereTV reports.
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 âhurtfulâ and a âhangoverâ from Portuguese rule.
âRonaldo is the best player in the world but still we should have a statue of a football player from Goa,â Fernandes told AFP.
Michael Lobo, a local minister with Indiaâs ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, told AFP the aim was to inspire young people to excel not just inside the country but internationally.
âAll the boys and girls who want to make football a career will get inspired by people like Cristiano Ronaldo,â Lobo said.
âIf you pursue your dream and youâre passionate about it then you can reach a higher goal. This is what we have written on the plaque.â
Most of present-day India gained independence in 1947.
But Portugalâs then military dictatorship only relinquished Goa following an invasion by the Indian army and a two-day war in 1961
