Why Bengaluru FC are facing a fight to hang onto Sree Kanteerava Stadium?
The Blues are currently embroiled in a dispute over the venue with Karnataka Athletics Association.
Bengaluru FC - the reigning champions of the Indian Super League (ISL), have always been a side that boasted a large fan-following. While the overwhelming support they receive in away fixtures are the envy of the other Indian Super League sides, it’s their home support that makes games in the city such a pleasurable experience.
The Blues’ fans ensure that there are songs involved and the names of stars like Sunil Chhetri and Rahul Bheke can be heard being chanted all around the stadium. The atmosphere of an ISL fixture in Bengaluru is exhilarating indeed and while the consistently good football being showcased by the Blues has a massive part to play, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium also has a special place in the hearts of the fans.
The Issue at Hand
The ISL champions could be looking at the possibility of having to move from their home stadium because of a probe that has been issued against them by the Karnataka High Court. It has been suggested that the club, owned by JSW Steel Ltd, allegedly continued to use the services at the Kanteerava Stadium even though their lease period had already expired.
The Karnataka High Court’s probe will see them investigate exactly how an encroachment of such a big magnitude was possible despite the involvement of the stadium officials. It has further been suggested that necessary action will be taken against any officials that aided the club in the utilisation of the infrastructure even after the lease period.
Furthermore, there have also been allegations that the club’s takeover of the stadium has deterred the efforts of athletics teams that also use the facilities at the venue. It is suggested that the athletes often complain about the manner in which the club barricade the entrances on the day before an ISL fixture. There have been concerns about the quality of the track which runs around the exterior of the football pitch as well.
The club’s lease is said to have expired in August 2017 but they continues to operate out of the ground until May 2018 without any conditions laid between the parties. Added to this, Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) president Muthappa Rai suggested in an interview last year that the Kanteerava Stadium should ideally be used exclusively for athletics. He further went on to say that the focus should be on athletics because the Indian football team is far away from an Olympics medal.
The Way Forward
As per the ISL regulations, each club is required to upload stadium licensing documents onto the official server but the Bengaluru-based club have only managed to produce a High Court stay order thus far. Albeit, they do have the power to make amendments to this document before the deadline on August 25th. Although such is the case, there is yet to be an official word from the board of directors of the club about the situation at hand.
It is being suggested that the Blues have already begun looking at possible alternate venues to operate out of next season. With the situation now looking like it’s headed towards the club being barred from utilising the services, moving elsewhere could end up being their only option.
The Karnataka High Court has adjourned the case until the first week of October and what this means for Bengaluru FC fans is that the possibility of there being a rapid resolution to this issue is now quite bleak.
Missing out on taking part in the ISL because of an issue of this sort would be highly unfortunate and although the home fans from Bengaluru could be starved of football in their fortress, it does look like the club will have to make alternate arrangements come start of the next season.
German sports brand uhlsport is kit sponsor of Chennai city, the deal with not only provide all the kits and equipment for free as well as CCFC will get money from uhlsport
Indian Super League to begin on October 20, I-League on November 2
The sixth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to begin on October 20, while the I-League is likely to start from November 2, sources in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed to Sportstar on Monday.
The venue and teams for the opening clashes for both Leagues are yet to be decided. In the 2018-19 season, Carles Cuadrat's Bengaluru FC defeated FC Goa 1-0 in a tense ISL final, with Rahul Bheke scoring the winner in the 117th minute. The triumph, Bengaluru’s first, marked a new winner for the first time in five seasons as ATK and Chennaiyin FC had bagged the title over the first four seasons.
While confusion continues to prevail over the future of the I-League, senior AIFF sources confirmed that the league, which was won by Chennai City FC in the last season, will continue. TRAU FC will make its I-League debut after earning promotion from the second division.
Exciting news for #IndianFootball fans. Other than Indian international Lallianzuala Chhangte, there is another junior international who is undergoing a trial at a top division European club & is very close to signing a deal.
More to follow on @KhelNow once the deal is confirmed
I hope it is either of Amarjit or Narender..they both deserve it plus it could also be due to Stimac's connections..Also I am still hoping that one day Rahul KP gets picked by Stimac..If Changte can make it to Europe then so can Rahul, Boris, Anwar Ali etc
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Why Bengaluru FC are facing a fight to hang onto Sree Kanteerava Stadium?
The Blues are currently embroiled in a dispute over the venue with Karnataka Athletics Association.
Bengaluru FC - the reigning champions of the Indian Super League (ISL), have always been a side that boasted a large fan-following. While the overwhelming support they receive in away fixtures are the envy of the other Indian Super League sides, it’s their home support that makes games in the city such a pleasurable experience.
The Blues’ fans ensure that there are songs involved and the names of stars like Sunil Chhetri and Rahul Bheke can be heard being chanted all around the stadium. The atmosphere of an ISL fixture in Bengaluru is exhilarating indeed and while the consistently good football being showcased by the Blues has a massive part to play, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium also has a special place in the hearts of the fans.
The Issue at Hand
The ISL champions could be looking at the possibility of having to move from their home stadium because of a probe that has been issued against them by the Karnataka High Court. It has been suggested that the club, owned by JSW Steel Ltd, allegedly continued to use the services at the Kanteerava Stadium even though their lease period had already expired.
The Karnataka High Court’s probe will see them investigate exactly how an encroachment of such a big magnitude was possible despite the involvement of the stadium officials. It has further been suggested that necessary action will be taken against any officials that aided the club in the utilisation of the infrastructure even after the lease period.
Furthermore, there have also been allegations that the club’s takeover of the stadium has deterred the efforts of athletics teams that also use the facilities at the venue. It is suggested that the athletes often complain about the manner in which the club barricade the entrances on the day before an ISL fixture. There have been concerns about the quality of the track which runs around the exterior of the football pitch as well.
The club’s lease is said to have expired in August 2017 but they continues to operate out of the ground until May 2018 without any conditions laid between the parties. Added to this, Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) president Muthappa Rai suggested in an interview last year that the Kanteerava Stadium should ideally be used exclusively for athletics. He further went on to say that the focus should be on athletics because the Indian football team is far away from an Olympics medal.
The Way Forward
As per the ISL regulations, each club is required to upload stadium licensing documents onto the official server but the Bengaluru-based club have only managed to produce a High Court stay order thus far. Albeit, they do have the power to make amendments to this document before the deadline on August 25th. Although such is the case, there is yet to be an official word from the board of directors of the club about the situation at hand.
It is being suggested that the Blues have already begun looking at possible alternate venues to operate out of next season. With the situation now looking like it’s headed towards the club being barred from utilising the services, moving elsewhere could end up being their only option.
The Karnataka High Court has adjourned the case until the first week of October and what this means for Bengaluru FC fans is that the possibility of there being a rapid resolution to this issue is now quite bleak.
Missing out on taking part in the ISL because of an issue of this sort would be highly unfortunate and although the home fans from Bengaluru could be starved of football in their fortress, it does look like the club will have to make alternate arrangements come start of the next season.
https://khelnow.com/news/article/isl-2019-20-bengaluru-fc-sree-kanteerava-stadium-karnataka-athletics-association
Indian Super League to begin on October 20, I-League on November 2
The sixth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to begin on October 20, while the I-League is likely to start from November 2, sources in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed to Sportstar on Monday.
The venue and teams for the opening clashes for both Leagues are yet to be decided. In the 2018-19 season, Carles Cuadrat's Bengaluru FC defeated FC Goa 1-0 in a tense ISL final, with Rahul Bheke scoring the winner in the 117th minute. The triumph, Bengaluru’s first, marked a new winner for the first time in five seasons as ATK and Chennaiyin FC had bagged the title over the first four seasons.
While confusion continues to prevail over the future of the I-League, senior AIFF sources confirmed that the league, which was won by Chennai City FC in the last season, will continue. TRAU FC will make its I-League debut after earning promotion from the second division.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-to-begin-on-october-20-i-league-starts-on-november-2-indian-football-news-aiff-bengaluru-fc-chennai-city-fc/article29161187.ece
I will be amazed if anyone apart from these three is being considered by a Top Division European Club.