‘Turf war’, Santosh Trophy moved from Delhi to Punjab

NEWDELHI: The final round of the Santosh Trophy, slated to be held from April 1-15, has been moved out of Delhi to Punjab following disagreement over the venue between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and host association Football Delhi. The final round games will be held at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana.

The d i s a g r e e ment h a d stemmed from the state of the Ambedkar Stadium turf, which AIFF said needed to be upgraded for the national championship to be played. AIFF wanted the games to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium but Football Delhi insisted on Ambedkar Stadium, its home ground, as there would be fewer logistical issues and more spectators would turn up. The JLN Stadium rent is also much higher.

“We had given AIFF assuranc e s t he s t a d i um would b e upgraded for the tournament but they wanted a letter from the municipality body. No government body gives such letters in such a short time. We had met them (AIFF) and assured that everything would be done from our end but they have sent us a letter today saying the tournament is being shifted,” Football S PRABHAKARAN, Delhi body chief

Delhi president Shaji Prabhakaran said.

“Chairman of the competitions committee, Manvendra Singh, and majority of the mem- bers (of the panel) have opined that hosting rights should be given to Punjab Football Association considering the circumstances,” AIFF informed both state associations in its letter on Monday.

SENIOR DIVISION GAMES POSTPONED

Football Delhi postponed its senior division league games on Monday after a no-show by referees protesting pending payments. The opening two games of the league on Sunday were overseen by match officials roped in as late replacements, including a 68-year-old retired referee.

Prabhakaran said some clubs had not submitted paperwork regarding the transfer of players, and apart from the absence of referees, it also forced the league to be postponed.

“We are trying to sort out the issue with referees. There are some pending payments which they had been promised but there was miscommunication. Whatever pending payment is there will be paid. We will sort it out in a few days,” he said.

He said the league will resume within a week at the Ambedkar Stadium, instead of the CWG Village Sports Complex in Akshardham where the opening games were held to prepare the Ambedkar Stadium for Santosh Trophy.

We had given AIFF assurances the stadium would be upgraded for the tournament but they wanted a letter from the municipality body