AIFF promised to help us to find venues for AFC Cup matches, reveals Ranjit Bajaj
Minerva Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj has revealed that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has promised them to find venues for their remaining AFC Cup matches after the Odisha Sports Authority cleared the club to host their home match against Manang Marshyangdi at the Kalinga Stadium.
After a week of speculation which saw the former I-League champions on the brink of closure following the unavailability of venues to host their AFC Cup match on May 1, things have finally worked out. Bajaj had a meeting with the Odisha Sports Authority on April 11 in Bhubaneswar following which he has now been given the permission to host their AFC Cup match before they start their renovation to become one of the venues for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup next year.
“Odisha government has really taken a pro-active stand on this, especially the IAS officer
Prior to this, Minerva
“AIFF, as far as I know, has been helping us to get a new stadium as well. They had also requested the Odisha government to help. Whatever has been discussed now has been quite positive. It will be one match only but it gives us over 40 days to find another venue.
“If we had less than 30 days we would have been fined. The match referee, the commissioner, had all booked their tickets and hotels, so it was impossible to change at the last minute. Our next matches are on June 14 and 26, so we have around 45-50 days in hand and AIFF have promised to help us in finding a venue,” added Bajaj.
While the abrupt cancellation of the venue had previously led to believe that AIFF had a part to play in it, Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports & Youth Services Department, said that they weren’t informed about the match dates previously and with FIFA renovations coming up, had to cancel it then.
“The first time when we approved, we were not aware of the dates. And so, we had said yes but with FIFA renovations to start, we had to cancel it. Now, it has been sorted out. Mr. Bajaj said that it is urgent for the 1st of May and so we have accommodated his request,” said Dev to Sportscafe.
Bajaj also said that they were looking at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, the Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati and Balewadi Stadium in Pune, for venues provided that they were free and at the same time suit the budget.
“We can’t obviously pay as the ISL clubs. If you go privately, stadiums charge anywhere between 15-20 lakhs, per match. And if the government has different rates then obviously it will be less. Like, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal would have to pay a different rate for the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, while ATK
“So, we are hoping we won’t be treated as a corporate club but as an I-League club. So, I hope AIFF will help us find the correct venue. I’ve spoken to them and they have spoken to a few stadiums already and are helping us form the letters. So I’m very happy that the parent federation is doing this for us," added Bajaj.