Is the upcoming I-League set to face venue problems?

The 2012/13 edition of the I-League, India's professional football league, is set to kick-off sometime in October 2012 after the conclusion of the 2012 Federation Cup. But the sixth edition is set to face venue and infrastructure problems of unknown proportions.

It is already known that Goa's Nehru Stadium, also known as Fatorda Stadium, in Margao is set for major renovation work ahead of next years Lusofonia Games. This means the stadium will not be available for the whole duration of the I-League and with the Duler ground in Mapusa still work in progress as it is getting an artificial turf under the FIFA 'Win in India with India' programme, this leaves only Vasco's Tilak Maidan as an I-League venue in Goa for the four participating clubs - Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC, Salgaocar SC and Sporting Clube de Goa.

Mumbai's Cooperage ground is also part of FIFA's 'Win in India with India' programme. There the artificial turf is already in use and through another FIFA grant the Cooperage is getting upgraded with proper stands plus a floodlighting system. Only as per WIFA CEO Henry Menezes' assessment it will not be ready to host I-League matches before November 2012. This means Air India, Mumbai FC and promoted ONGC might have to play their first few home matches in Pune or start with a number of away ties.

Now in Kolkata the Saltlake Stadium had its problems last season with floodlights which resulted in matches having to be played in the afternoon heat due to the need of daylight and to avoid floodlight failure which has been reoccurring since September 2004. West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra promised the IFA, the I-League clubs and football lovers that the archaic floodlights would be replaced by the start of the next I-League, but that now looks to be in danger with the minister not willing to give any final date. This could mean further afternoon matches in the Saltlake Stadium in the new I-League season for East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC, Prayag United SC and the Pailan Arrows.

The above leaves the I-League with 11 of their 14 clubs having stadium issues at the start of the I-League season with Pune FC hopefully not facing similar problems with their floodlights as last season and United Sikkim FC's home town of Gangtok not being off limits due to bad weather in the winter months.

It's a difficult time to plan out things for the I-League...