Footballers Protest Demanding Playing Field In Guwahati

Young kids dotted the streets of Assam's Guwahati city on Sunday playing football. They were, however, not out enjoying the holiday, rather they were participating in a protest demanding a field for playing football in this largest city of the state. Over 500 footballers from across the state took part in a protest rally in the city demanding that at least a couple of fields be allowed for playing football in Guwahati. From former and current national and international level players to children with a fondness for the game participated in the protest.

"There is not a single football field made available by the government for playing football in Guwahati anymore. As a result, coaching has nearly stopped and no tournaments are being organised in the city," Hem Das, president of All Assam Football Players' Association, told PTI.

"Our demand is simple, we want the Nehru Stadium to be reopened for football. It should also be allowed in the Judges' Field," he said.

Das said football was allowed in the Nehru Stadium as well as Judges' Field through mutual understanding with cricket match organisers earlier, but for nearly two months now no football is being allowed in these two fields.

Speaking to PTI, Hemendranath Brahma, secretary of Assam Football Association (AFA), said the Association does not have any field of its own, though it has been urging the government for it over the years.

He said when Nehru Stadium was being converted into a dedicated cricket ground, the AFA has asked the authorities to provide an alternate field for football, which the latter had agreed to look into.

"If the ex-players had a problem with Nehru Stadium becoming reserved for cricket, they should have objected when it was being developed," he