MDFA's Elite Division hit by 'ground reality'

Mumbai football continues to be kicked around Mumbais premier football tournament mdash the Mumbai District Football Associations MDFA Elite Division mdash after being scrapped last year is being held this year but this good news too comes with a riderThe refurbished Cooperage still has not been given the OC PicShadab KhanThe tournament scrapped last year due to unavailability of grounds and later unavailability of teams will kick off tomorrow with ONGC taking on Union Bank at Vashis Father Agnel Football GroundAt the grounds mercyHowever the MDFA was able to announce just the first three fixtures of the tournament since the remainder of the matches will be held subject to availability of the five venues mdash Fr Agnel Football Ground Kalinas Air India ground Goan Sports Ground at Cross Maidan Chemburs RCF Ground and Western Railways ground at MahalaxmiEvery ground has its own commitments So as per their convenience well hold our matches But by midApril we expect to wrap up the Elite Division Udayan Banerjee Honorary Secretary of MDFA told reporters yesterdayBanerjee however is hopeful that the refurbished Cooperage Stadium will come into play eventually WIFA Western India Football Association has promised us that the Cooperage will be available by the third week of March So we can hold matches there too he saidDifferent surfacesAnother issue for the teams is that they will have to play on varied surfaces mdash Fr Agnel Ground has an Astroturf pitch while the other four grounds are a mixture of grass and mud pitchesBanerjee though said the teams have no problem adjustingThe biggest problem is that we dont have our own ground Besides we met all the team officials twice and told them about this issue and they felt that instead of postponing the tournament until the Cooperage is ready its better to hold it on the grounds that are availableFormer India captain Godfred Pereira who is now coach of Elite outfit Air India felt something is better than nothing The teams performance is affected when the playing surface changesHowever for the last few years football in this city has been stagnant So this tournament being held even on different turfs is a good thing At least the new MDFA committee is trying to do something for the game he saidMeanwhile Souter Vaz the General Secretary of WIFA told SUNDAY MiD DAY that there was only one final hurdle in context with the Cooperage He said The turf is ready Even the stands are almost ready All that remains is getting an Occupation Certificate OC from the civic body That will be done by midMarch