ISL 2019: Bengaluru FC enlists Pune's Balewadi as home stadium

Adhering to the AIFF Club Licensing deadline, Bengaluru FC enlisted the Pune's Balewadi Stadium as the venue for its home games for the coming ISL season.

A view of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru FC has enlisted the Balewadi Stadium in Pune as the venue for its home games for the coming season, in a bid to adhere to All India Football Federation (AIFF)'s Club Licensing deadline, the club announced on Wednesday.

The deadline to submit stadium-related licensing documents to the AFC and AIFF was September 15.

The use of the premises by Bengaluru for its home matches is being opposed by the athletics fraternity.

 

The Karnataka  Athletics  Association (KAA) has been up in arms over the use of the stadium by the  JSW -owned club and recently petitioned the Karnataka High Court to restrain footballing activities on the grounds that the stadium was built exclusively for track and field disciplines.

"The club is working closely with all stakeholders involved to find an amicable solution, and ensure that Bengaluru FC plays its home games out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium," Bengaluru FC tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Dept. of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Govt. of Karnataka, stated that a final decision on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium had not been made yet. "We have sought legal opinion since the matter was in court. Once we receive it, we will decide what is to be done. It is not that we have ruled out BFC playing here," said M. S. Ramesh, Joint-Director of the DYES.

(With inputs from Shreedutta Chidananda)