I-League: Goa's Stadium impasse sorted

The I-League could have faced major stadium problems in Goa with the Nehru Stadium in Margao set for major refurbishment ahead of the Lusofonia Games next year. The Duler ground in Mapusa is still getting a FIFA-sponsored artificial turf which is not ready yet and the Tilak Maidan in Vasco not upto I-League and AFC Cup standard.

The I-League CEO Sunando Dhar and his colleague Sujesh Rajan were in Goa yesterday to meet the Goa Football Association and the four I-League clubs – Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC, Salgaocar SC, Sporting Clube de Goa – to discuss the stadium situation that has arisen in the state ahead of the start of the I-League in seven weeks time.

At the meeting it was decided that the first and second Round of I-League matches of the four Goan clubs would be home matches and played at the Nehru Stadium before it closes down for about year for refurbishment work. While all the Goan clubs would play away matches in Round three and from Round four onwards, the matches would be held at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

While Rounds one and two are tentatively scheduled for October 6/7 and 10/11, round three thereafter but if the Tilak Maidan would be ready by late-October would have to be seen then the stadium is supposed to get upgraded within 75 days and that would mean by mid-November if work starts in right earnest in early-September.