AIFF seeks extension after project delay gets notice from Bengal govt

The West Bengal government has asked All India Football Federation (AIFF) why the allotment of a 15-acre plot to build a national centre of excellence near Kolkata should not be cancelled.

- Dhiman Sarkar

After seven years, the centre that was supposed to be fully commissioned in three years is far from completion, a state government agency has told AIFF.

“... Non-utilisation of government allotted land within the prescribed period constitutes a violation of the terms and conditions of allotment as mentioned in the Deed of Lease and attracts action including cancellation of allotment...” a show cause notice on May 13 from West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HIDCO) said. A government of West Bengal undertaking, HIDCO gave AIFF seven days to reply in its letter signed by Subhas Sinha, general manager (commercial).

AIFF wrote back acknowledging the delay but has sought “a reasonable extension” after stating that several key components were operational and that over ₹33 crore has been spent on the project. This includes ₹16.66 crore from FIFA, ₹6.56 crore from Asian Football Confederation and over ₹10 crore by AIFF, the reply dated May 21 said.

The AIFF letter also pointed out that two pitches, one grass and the other artificial, have been used for training sessions by different India and Bengal teams, clubs in I-League and Indian Super League and the East Bengal team that won the Indian Women’s League.