BMC's plan to convert Bandra football ground threatens training for 14,000 players

Protest at Bandra ground as BMC convention centre plan threatens training hub for 14,000 footballers

Hundreds of players, coaches and parents gathered at the Neville D'Souza Football Ground in Bandra on Sunday to oppose a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposal that would convert the facility into a convention-cum-exhibition centre. The demonstration came as the civic body moved to advance the redevelopment plan.

Ground serves 14,000 players daily

The facility, operational since 2018, hosts football activity from early morning until late at night and is used by nearly 14,000 players aged five and above, according to Nigel Neville D'Souza, son of the late Indian footballer after whom the ground is named. School tournaments, league matches and academy training sessions all take place at the venue.

"In a week I coach more than 100-200 players from different age groups. I've been a part of this ground since its inception in 2018 and our club Mumbai Warriors FC played many matches here," said Rajkumar Ashappa, head coach of Rafa Football Academy and Mumbai Warriors FC.

Coaches cite planning chaos, no alternative venue confirmed

Though officials told football groups an alternative ground would be provided, no details on location or timeline have been shared. Vishal Rathod, a senior coach with MSB Academy and the IOT club who has worked at the ground for seven years, said the uncertainty had already disrupted preparation for the next season. "Parents are hesitant to send their children, and senior players are probably thinking about what will happen next season," he said.

Rathod questioned the need for another convention facility given existing infrastructure in the area.

Young players fear career setbacks

Fifteen-year-old Waseem Yasin Khan, who plays in the second division of the BFC Neville Boys team, said the loss of the ground raised immediate concerns about his football future. "If there is no ground, then how can we play? There is no other ground nearby and if we can't play, then how will we make our career?" he said.

Fellow player Deep Harmalkar, also 15, warned that travelling long distances for Division Two matches would likely mean parents would not allow them to continue.

Football body, former national goalkeeper join opposition

The Mumbai Football Association opposed the proposal, with vice-president Nasir Hussain pointing to the city's existing shortage of football grounds. Matches at the venue begin as early as 6 a.m. and run until late night.

Former India goalkeeper and current Real Kashmir goalkeeping coach Mohammed Yusuf Ansari attended the protest and appealed for the ground's protection. "What is the future of these children if this ground goes away?" he said.

Political leader alleges privatisation pattern

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MFA president Aaditya Thackeray alleged that open spaces and sports grounds in Bandra were increasingly being converted into privately controlled facilities. He criticised what he called a lack of planning for football in Mumbai, citing the recent visit of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi to a cricket stadium and claiming that the state government's 'Project Mahadeva' had stalled while football grounds were being replaced by concrete structures.

Ashappa argued that India needed more grounds to compete at tournaments like the Asian Cup. "If you take away the existing grounds, that is unacceptable and uncalled for," he said.

Source: The Hindu