Wondering where this picturesque football field is located amidst the urban noise surrounding it? If you’re someone passing through Bandra Reclamation regularly, this sight would have greeted you on your way in and out of Bandra.
The Neville D’souza Football Turf is the latest of the sporting upgrades our suburb of Bandra has deservingly acquired. Named after the famous Indian footballing legend – who seemed to have been forgotten in the recent past, until now – the newly laid turf is a sprawling 106×72 metres, following the dimensions for international matches as laid down by FIFA besides overlooking the flyover that takes Bandraites in and out of the city.
The decision to name the turf after the fabled Neville D’souza was a unanimous decision after a resolution was tabled, according to Aaditya Thackeray, chairman of the MDFA. Ryan Menezes, MDFA Committee Member and co-owner of Sellebrity FC said, “Neville Dsouza was the first name suggested and without much fuss was agreed upon given his unforgettable contribution to Indian football.” India’s most renowned and decorated football player till date, Neville D’souza, rose to fame with his heroics at the Melbourne Summer Olympic Games in 1956, when he scored a hat-trick – the first Asian player in the history of the Olympics – against the mighty Socceroos, leading India to the semi-finals of the football tournament. This, although he was an extraordinarily impressive player back home. Neville, who plied his trade for Bombay club Caltex – besides Goan Sports Club and Tata’s – would have been a forgotten hero but for Bandra’s latest footballing venue which will be hosting the MDFA league games in the Men’s First Division, Women’s League as well as the Youth League games.
The new venue which was christened three years back in November 2015 came with its own share of hardships. From acquiring the parcel of land to neighbouring residents creating a mess to restructuring the boundary walls, it took a while for Mumbai’s latest footballing paradise to get the ball rolling. But then, nothing can stop Bandra’s immense love for the sport and what we now have is an exquisite lush green carpet ready for some glamorous football action.
Earlier, given just a couple of venues at St Xavier’s Ground in Parel and the iconic Cooperage pressure on hosting and squeezing in five divisions in the men’s’ leagues, the women’s league as well as the various youth leagues, in the span of the season’s eight months, was tremendous. Now that MHADA has leased the venue to the MDFA on a caretaker basis, delays in the various leagues can be called a thing of the past. The venue played host to its first games of the MDFA youth league earlier this month on the 12th of November under the aegis of Aaditya Thackeray – MDFA President and brain behind the plan, Dinesh Nair – Director of the Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC), Rahul Kanal – Core Committee member of the Yuva Sena – who has played a pivotal role, as well as Ryan Menezes. Starting in the last week of November, the Men’s MDFA First Division League will set the ball rolling in what promises to be a start of a new era in Bandra’s footballing history.
“It’s not just the turf, the ground has been equipped with changing rooms for both men and women, as well as washroom facilities and the feedback so far has been really encouraging. Bandra is a suburb with a massive sporting culture and has produced many fine athletes, it was time we had something like this for the sport.” When asked about how the locals will benefit with the new ground, Ryan was positive, “Over the months, the MDFA will also layout a policy for Bandraites to use the ground for sometime during the evenings. This will help increase the standard of the game as well as reduce injuries. If all goes well, we may also try to have a few games of our own Bandra League here besides inter-school and inter-college games. All in all, it’s a win-win for everyone!”
Rahul Kanal seemed ecstatic at the launch of the new venue, “Finally we Bandraites have something to cheer about! The turf is capable of hosting I-League matches. We also intend to set up floodlights soon so that the ground can be used optimally. For that, we’re looking at inviting corporates to help us cover the cost of the expenses incurred in using the lights. Besides, we want the venue to play host to referee and coach training programs in the coming future, which is essential to the development of the game. As a Bandra boy and a Stanislite, I’m elated to have something like this right here in the heart of Bandra!”
