AIFF - JSW Steel tie-up in Indian Stadium redevelopment

There is more good news for Indian football on this day. The All India Football Federation president Praful Patel informed the media that the federation has tied up with JSW Steel Limited to redevelop and manage football stadiums in Kolkata and Bangalore.

"We have got the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium for a 30-year lease from the state government and JSW will start the renovation work in the next three-four months. JSW will also take over the Bangalore Football Stadium," said Praful Patel, after the federation's Annual General Meeting.

This means that Kolkata will soon have a stadium in the city, which would help the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and the cities big clubs Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal Club, Chirag United SC and Mohammedan Sporting Club in their match scheduling.

The Bangalore Football Stadium is currently being upgraded through two separate FIFA projects. Under the FIFA GOAL project the missing fourth stand is being build as a national training centre facility to make the stadium complete, while under FIFA's 'Win in India with India' program the stadium is getting an artificial turf field.

The Bangalore Football Stadium is owned by the Karnataka State Football Association, one of only two stadiums currently owned by state football associations, and the venue will in future be managed by JSW Steel Limited.

In even further good news Praful Patel informed the media that Mukesh Ambani had shown his interest in developing infrastructure at Mumbai's Cooperage ground, which is embroiled in a public interest litigation. "The PIL is nearing its end and Mr. Ambani has personally shown interest in developing infrastructure at the Cooperage," Patel added.