Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: An independent audit of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has issued an adverse opinion on the association’s affairs, accounts and financial records, flagging transactions worth nearly ₹49 crore across multiple categories classified as critical risk and raising serious concerns over governance, procurement procedures and internal financial controls.
The audit report covers the period from April 1, 2024, to December 26, 2025, and was prepared by a panel of chartered accountants appointed by the Office of the District Registrar (North) and Inspector General of Societies, Government of Goa. The report, dated September 21, 2026, was submitted to the appointing authority.
According to the auditors, the irregularities and non-compliances identified during the examination were material and pervasive, extending across substantially all major areas reviewed. The report states that the association’s affairs, accounts and financial records were not maintained and supported in accordance with its Constitution or Memorandum, Rules of Business and other applicable governing requirements.
The summary of significant findings lists several transactions classified as critical risk, including sports supplies procurement from SMG Impex valued at ₹2.11 crore, physiotherapy equipment procurement worth ₹3.61 crore, gym equipment worth ₹3.44 crore and a swimming pool project valued at ₹2.52 crore.
Infrastructure-related transactions also feature prominently in the report. The upgradation of LED sports floodlights at Porvorim was valued at ₹5.80 crore, while the installation of LED sports floodlights at Sanguem was valued at ₹6 crore. Both were categorised as critical risk.
The auditors also flagged travel and hotel bookings involving approximately ₹19.10 crore, along with professional engagements, consultancy arrangements and expenditure on other activities. The summary lists a memorandum of understanding with Techmindz valued at ₹1.18 crore and an engagement involving Dr. Satyesh Kamat, also valued at ₹1.18 crore, among the critical-risk findings.
Other transactions categorised as critical included expenditure of ₹56.64 lakh on the Yashogatha event, professional fees and engagements involving coaches and support staff valued at ₹3.19 crore, and infrastructure work undertaken by Sky Caps Enterprises at Cotarli, Sanguem, valued at ₹21.60 lakh.
The report also identifies concerns over the payment of travel allowances, daily allowances and honorarium to office bearers, valued at ₹1.64 lakh, which was classified as critical risk.
Governance and Record-Keeping Under Scrutiny
Beyond individual transactions, the audit highlights broader concerns relating to the authorisation, custody and reliability of Managing Committee minutes and resolutions. The governance, compliance and internal control review, as well as the report on minutes, were both classified as critical risk.
The auditors identified recurring issues involving competitive procurement and vendor selection, supporting invoices and documentary evidence for expenditure, the execution and oversight of memoranda of understanding, professional and consultancy engagements, employee appointments and removals, and the custody and maintenance of fixed asset and inventory records.
The report also lists several findings under the high-risk category, including the non-availability of fixed assets during physical verification, unauthorised employee appointments and engagements, office renovation expenditure of ₹40.26 lakh, and the non-maintenance of an inventory register and failure to furnish records.
The auditors explained that the risk categorisation was based on eight parameters, including the value of transactions, the nature of the provisions breached, availability of supporting records, validity of approvals, recurrence of deviations, internal controls, potential conflicts of interest and the possibility of financial loss or recovery.
Under the report’s classification, critical-risk matters include breaches of binding provisions, failure to furnish records when requisitioned, or payments and benefits without entitlement. The auditors noted that such matters could not necessarily be rectified through subsequent approval.
Auditors Issue Adverse Opinion
In its concluding assessment, the panel stated that the findings across the 23 sections of the report were sufficiently significant to prevent the association’s affairs, accounts and financial records from being regarded as reliable, complete and auditable for the period examined.
The auditors accordingly expressed an adverse opinion on the affairs, accounts and financial records of the GCA.
The report clarifies that the amounts listed against the findings represent the value of transactions examined and do not constitute a quantification of losses caused to the association. The identification of a transaction as critical risk therefore should not, by itself, be interpreted as proof that the entire amount was lost or misappropriated.
The audit was conducted pursuant to orders issued by the District Registrar and subsequent directions relating to complaints against the association. The detailed findings and annexures form an integral part of the report and are intended to be read alongside the auditors’ overall opinion.
