Sport · India Bureau
Mumbai football community opposes BMC plan to convert Bandra ground
Coaches and players from multiple academies and clubs have launched a protest against a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposal to transform the Bandra training facility into a convention centre, citing the loss of critical sporting infrastructure.
LSN India ·
The football fraternity in Mumbai has mobilised against plans by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to repurpose a key Bandra ground for convention centre development. Several football academies and clubs that depend on the facility for training programmes and competitive matches have voiced strong opposition to the proposal.
Coaches and players from the region contend that the ground serves as an essential hub for grassroots football development in the city. They have flagged concerns about the shortage of adequate sporting venues in Mumbai and warned that losing this facility would severely hamper youth training programmes across multiple academies.
The protest underscores the broader challenge facing Mumbai's sporting community as municipal authorities balance infrastructure development with preservation of recreational and athletic spaces. The proposed conversion has prompted stakeholders to call for alternative sites and a reconsideration of the project's scope.
The BMC's proposal now faces mounting pressure from football clubs and coaching organisations who argue that the ground's current sporting use should be prioritised. The matter remains unresolved as discussions between the civic body and the football community continue.