Bengaluru FC confirms Kanteerava stadium as home venue for 2019-20 season
The use of the stadium had become a bone of contention between BFC and track and field athletes with the latter stating that it was exclusively built for athletics.
Published : Oct 10, 2019 16:04 IST
After a prolonged period of uncertainty, Bengaluru FC announced on Thursday that it would play its ISL home matches at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. It came days after the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports (DYES), Govt. Of Karnataka issued a letter of consent, enabling BFC to open the new season at home with the clash against NorthEast United FC on October 21
The use of the stadium had become a bone of contention between BFC and track and field athletes with the latter seeking to restrain footballing activities by stating that the stadium was exclusively built for athletics. But it was a position neither the DYES nor the High Court of Karnataka accepted.
“We can confirm that Bengaluru FC will be playing its home games for the 2019-20 season out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium,” BFC said in a statement. “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Government. of Karnataka, the Sports Ministry, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, the Karnataka Athletics Association and all other stakeholders and associations for their support.”
The tough task for BFC will now be to get the turf ready and the club CEO Mandar Tamhane admitted that it would be a challenge. “It won’t be easy,” he said. “Currently with only so many days remaining it will be a challenge.”
“Having the pitch in a good condition is again a process that will require co-operation from DYES, people using the stadium and all the others involved in order to ensure that Kanteerava has the best surface in the country for football. We hope we can do that.”