Duler may get NFL nod HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 30 - All India Football Federation's two-member inspection committee has ruled in favour of Duler ground, Mapusa as an alternate venue for the National Football League.
Referees Board secretary M G Suvarna and AIFF executive committee member A R Khaleel inspected Duler ground (Mapusa) and Tilak Maidan (Vasco), but were impressed by the facilities, and turf, at Mapusa. "Our observation about Duler was good. The same, however, cannot be said about Tilak Maidan," Suvarna told Herald on Monday evening. The well-maintained outfield at Duler, sufficient place for warm-up behind goal-posts, separate entries for dressing rooms and medical facilities gives Duler the edge. The committee has also noted that the ambulance can be driven straight into the ground incase of any eventuality on the field. "Duler, however, has to improve on the medical rooms and media facilities," Suvarna disclosed. Interestingly, the Goa Football Association is expected to build a wall on the Eastern side within the next fortnight and seal the ground from all sides. Duler can accommodate a maximum of 7,000 spectators, a capacity GFA feels is "good enough." At Duler, the two-member AIFF team was briefed of the security plans by Mapusa PSI Corriasco Po. Nothing of that sort happened at Tilak Maidan. "Tilak Maidan has a lot of catching up to do," informed Suvarna. Work on the ground, despite requests almost a month ago, is yet to commence while the dressing rooms were found to be in a pitiable condition. "We have submitted our observations to the AIFF. The AIFF is the sole authority to decide whether any of the two venues can host an NFL match," Suvarna disclosed. AIFF General Secretary Alberto Coalco, in the meanwhile, said a decision about the alternate venues would be announced later this week. "We will discuss the report with Zee Sports officials and the Emergency Committee. We can go ahead with the schedule, only if both the parties agree," Colaco told Herald in a telephonic conversation from Delhi. According to those in the know, five matches of the NFL are likely to be played at any of the two alternate venues between March 9 and April 6.
