34th Federation Cup: Ground problems in Ranchi?

The 34th edition of the Federation Cup, India's version of the FA Cup, is set to be played from September 19 to 30 simultaneously in Ranchi and Siliguri; but while Siliguri is gearing-up to host the matches at the Kanchenjunga Stadium, Ranchi is facing numerous kind of problems.

Normally the Morabadi football stadium is used as a football venue in Ranchi, but it was deemed unfit by the All India Football Federation officials to host matches of the Federation and therefore the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Hotwar was chosen as the venue for the Quarterfinal League Groups A and D as well as one of the semifinals.

The Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium is a multipurpose venue build for the 2011 National Games, but like many such stadia across India it has not been maintained properly.

Now the football pitch ahead of the Federation Cup is facing major problems with termites, which have damaged vast patches of the ground. Workers are now working overtime to repair the damage, but another inspection by the AIFF in the coming days will determine if the venue is deemed fit for one of India's premier tournaments.