The District Sports Office's (DSO) agreement to host their U-17 football tournament at St Francis D'Assisi ground expired on September 5, but they have not initiated any action to renew the permission and still continue to host their matches there
Saachi Munot (left) of Dhirubhai Ambani International falls during a DSO U-17 encounter against Udayachal HS, Vikhroli at St Francis D'Assisi Ground, Borivli yesterday. Udayachal lost 0-3. Pic/Suresh KK
The District Sports Office's (DSO) agreement to host their U-17 football tournament at St Francis D'Assisi ground expired on September 5, but they have not initiated any action to renew the permission and still continue to host their matches there.
Saachi Munot (left) of Dhirubhai Ambani International falls during a DSO U-17 encounter against Udayachal HS, Vikhroli at St Francis D'Assisi Ground, Borivli yesterday. Udayachal lost 0-3. Pic/Suresh KK
Bro K Bartholomius, sports manager at St Francis D'Assisi, said that the DSO officials are least bothered about conducting the tournament in a properly. "DSO officials hardly care about improving the standard of the sport in the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
We agreed to give them the ground to host matches between July 5 and September 5. Thereafter, they ought to have sought our permission to continue using the ground.
No time for meetings
"But forget meeting us, DSO official Balaji Barbade doesn't even have the time to come to the ground when matches are on. If things go on like this, we will have to stop the DSO tournament unless they come and meet us first."
Bro Bartholomius said that the DSO officials never keep their promises. "Before every tournament, their official comes to us and promises things like getting us government grants, providing better facilities, getting better equipment etc. Seasons come and go but their promises are never fulfilled. I am not asking for money, but they can at least help us get better facilities for the kids."
On his part, Barbade blamed the lack of time for not being able to meet the school administration. "I couldn't personally meet the school officials for the extension of the agreement as I need to take care of other sports too. But I'll meet them soon," he said.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
