Mumbai, August 24: A protest took place on Sunday against the decision to convert the Neville D’Souza Football Turf in Bandra Reclamation into a convention center. Ryan Menezes, Vice President of the Mumbai Football Association, stated that this ground hosts competitions for children every year. He emphasized that transforming this venue would be a significant setback for football in Mumbai.
Menezes remarked, “As you can see, this is a crucial football ground for the Mumbai Football Association. Over 10,000 children play here annually. It is an essential 11-a-side football ground allocated to us. We host official matches for kids every year. Most of the children who play here eventually represent the MFA, district teams, state teams, and even national teams.”
He added, “We have submitted several letters to the authorities from the MFA. Players and former players from India have also written to request a reconsideration of this decision and to maintain the ground for sports. I won’t comment much further as this matter is currently in court. We await the next hearing and will respect the honorable court’s decision. We are confident that justice will prevail and the right decision will be made.”
A protester expressed, “This is essentially an effort to save the Neville D’Souza Football Ground. It is one of the few remaining open spaces in our city and one of the very few places available for youth to play sports, especially football. When we were kids, there was a lack of good grounds. We played on rocky, muddy, or waterlogged fields. Now, with the advent of cheaper astro-turf, one would think conditions would improve, giving youth real opportunities to play and showcase themselves on sports pitches.”
Another protester condemned the decision, stating, “I am a fan of Mumbai football and follow Indian football closely. The grassroots football ecosystem is tied to this ground. If this ground is demolished, our ecosystem will ultimately be destroyed.”
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