Countdown for I-league football begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Football buffs are counting the days left for the fifth edition of I-league football to arrive in the city. With the University Stadium being selected as the venue, both the tournament  organisers and the office-bearers of the Thiruvananthapuram District Football Association (TDFA) are hoping that the tournament would help in reviving the game in the district.TDFA joint secretary C Selvakumar said that the elite tournament would also increase the prospects of football in the state. He said that both the infrastructure and sports would benefit out of this gala sporting event.The I-league matches in Thiruvananthapuram will kick off on November 6 with Chirag United Kerala, the rechristened Viva Kerala, taking on Air India. A total of seven matches are likely to be played in Thiruvananthapuram.Meanwhile, the venue, University stadium, is yet to recoup from the damage incurred during the South Zone Inter-University Football Tournament held early this month. The green carpet had received some serious trampling during the tournament. Construction of a boundary wall and balcony is yet to begin. Allegations have already begun to pile up from various quarters questioning the integrity of the association to the cause.“The association shouldn’t have handed over the ground for another event when a major tournament like I-league was on the doorsteps,” a former state player commented, seeking anonymity.Selvakumar said that the existing infrastructure would be modified and the ground would be upgraded on a war-footing. The task has been entrusted to the Fire and Rescue Services, who would water the existing grass on the ground."After some serious fertilizing and watering, the grass would grow thick. Ten days are more than enough to make the whole arrangements,” he said.LNCPE ground at Kariavattom would be developed as the practice venue for the teams. The officials of I-league believe that a huge crowd, more than 10,000, would march to the stadium to view the match. Given the capacity of the stadium, this figure can easily be accommodated.But the shoddy supporting facilities, including vehicle parking, are expected to give some sleepless nights to the organisers. A meeting of the top officials of the association will be convened on Wednesday to chart out a detailed plan of the tournament.