NEW DELHI: The Ambedkar stadium, which has witnessed some famous wins by the Indian football team in recent past (Nehru Cup triumphs in 2007 & 2009), has become a popular haunt for hosting political rallies and social gatherings, including marriages.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which owns the ground, has not allowed the DSA ( Delhi Soccer Association) to hold the I-League matches since December. The primary reason is the rent which has been increased from Rs 500 a day to 5,000 a day by the MCD in September. Of course, the non-stop social activity has left the ground in an unplayable condition.
"We booked the stadium from September to December last year. The I-league matches were to be played in November. In between, we had the Subroto Cup, the Durand and some other tournaments which left affected the ground condition. We requested the MCD to maintain the ground but they did not bother," NK Bhatia, DSA secretary, told TOI on Monday.
"The big blow came in September when they clubbed the stadium with other parks in the city and raised the rent. We protested but that is still pending. They are now asking us to submit the increased rent (Rs 5000/day) for allotment. As we are unable to pay the huge amount, the stadium is being given out for kinds of functions. These functions are being held here from 1975... they (MCD) treat it as their property. They are bothered about the fact that this is an international venue," Bhatia said. With DSA being unable to use or even pay rent for the Ambedkar ground, I-League matches have been shifted to Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon. The fans can take a long walk.
NB:This misery is more painful for Indian football fans when they know that AIFF has already signed a 700 Crore deal and still they are bankrupt!?!
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which owns the ground, has not allowed the DSA ( Delhi Soccer Association) to hold the I-League matches since December. The primary reason is the rent which has been increased from Rs 500 a day to 5,000 a day by the MCD in September. Of course, the non-stop social activity has left the ground in an unplayable condition.
"We booked the stadium from September to December last year. The I-league matches were to be played in November. In between, we had the Subroto Cup, the Durand and some other tournaments which left affected the ground condition. We requested the MCD to maintain the ground but they did not bother," NK Bhatia, DSA secretary, told TOI on Monday.
"The big blow came in September when they clubbed the stadium with other parks in the city and raised the rent. We protested but that is still pending. They are now asking us to submit the increased rent (Rs 5000/day) for allotment. As we are unable to pay the huge amount, the stadium is being given out for kinds of functions. These functions are being held here from 1975... they (MCD) treat it as their property. They are bothered about the fact that this is an international venue," Bhatia said. With DSA being unable to use or even pay rent for the Ambedkar ground, I-League matches have been shifted to Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon. The fans can take a long walk.
NB:This misery is more painful for Indian football fans when they know that AIFF has already signed a 700 Crore deal and still they are bankrupt!?!
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