AIFF report punctures tall claims of JK Govt
Srinagar: Football fans in Valley have lost dream opportunity of watching top football players of India playing here as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has termed the condition of Baskhi Stadium that was scheduled to host Federation Cup final as unfit for the high profile match.
The high profile match was expected to be played on May 21 and for that AIFF had last year informed the J&K Football Association (JKFA) and State Government. Both State Government and JKFA had promised to make the preparations for the match. However, the recent report of observers sent by AIFF to JKFA has termed Bakshi Stadium as unfit and has also picked various loopholes.
“Attached please find the inspection report of Bakshi Stadium and practice ground at Srinagar. As per the report and the pictures sent by Sanjay, the Competition manager and also the AFC match commissioner, nothing seems to be in order to conduct a high profile match like the final of the Federation Cup,” AIFF wrote to JKFA.
The report has been separated by the observers in various sections attached with pictures that justify their action and humiliate JKFA and J&K Government.
Ground Condition
The pitch is not in good shape. There are patches all around, moreover the ground is uneven and also the quality of the grass is not appropriate. The only maintenance work that is being carried out is watering and grass cutting. There is no roller or any other machine to even the unevenness as informed by the stadium authority. Another major issue is that the Goalpost is in bad shape and the diameter is not as per the laws of the game. The Stadium Authority has confirmed that they don’t have another set of goalposts and they would have to use the existing one. To be precise if the marking has to be done according to the existing goalpost, the width of the lines would be 6 inches or more, which would be breach of the laws of the game, report reads.
Players Dressing Rooms
The dressing rooms seem to be okay, while one has attached toilet and bathrooms, other dressing room is just outside the hall. Dressing rooms don’t have lockers. The entry to pitch from the dressing rooms is not ideal. The area in and around the dressing rooms are not neat and clean. The location of the dressing rooms is not ideal as well, while one dressing room is on the right of the VIP entry, the other is on the left of the VIP entry as a result of which no mixed zone could be in place. The distance between both the dressing rooms is more than 70 meters.
Another point of concern is that the spectators entry is just close to the players entries to both the dressing rooms, report further reads.
Referees and Match Commissioner Room
No proper match officials rooms, empty rooms to be converted into makeshift match officials rooms. The rooms and toilets are in worst condition. Match officials room, is not at the ideal location and doesn’t have attached toilet and showers and moreover, the match officials will have to share it with the other spectators. The other room proposed needs a makeover.
Medical and Doping Control Rooms
No proper medical and doping control rooms are in place. The rooms proposed don’t meet the requirement. Media Tribune and Makeshift Centre along with other facilities to be in place either close to player dressing room 1 or 2. Media and VVIP will share the same entry. Spectators seating in North, South and East wing are covered with thick grass.
Training Grounds
No proper training grounds are available. The two natural turf training grounds are in worst condition, while the other proposed training ground has artificial pitch.
Other key drawbacks
The stadium doesn’t have floodlights, television control room and also the position of camera 1 and 2 is not ideal. The commentator room too is no Room is no ready for commentary
