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Matches likely to be shifted at Barasat stadium

[caption id="attachment_33334" align="alignnone" width="853"] Mohun Bagan’s I League opener against Churchill Brothers at Rabindra Sarobar cancelled | Image : XtraTime[/caption]

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s I League opener against Churchill Brothers at Rabindra Sarobar stadium on Sunday was cancelled following a stay order by National Green Tribunal.The Green Tribunal of Kolkata has put a stay order on the I League matches to be played under floodlight at the venue.

With just two days to go for their first I League opener, the Bagan officials are in deep trouble to organize the match. According to I League CEO Sunando Dhar, “Mohun Bagan has informed me about their inability to host the match at Rabindra Sarobar. At the same time they have assured me that the match will be staged at Barasat stadium on the scheduled date. I am confident that the match will take place accordingly.”

According to a statement released by Mohun Bagan it was stated that due to unavoidable circumstances the referred match could not be organised at Rabindra Sarovar. The match will now held at Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat on 8th January 2017 at 7:00 pm.

It was also decided that the members will be allowed entry upon production of their valid membership card and for general supporters the tickets would be available at the ticket counter of VIP gate of Barasat Stadium priced at Ordinary Rs. 100/- and VIP Rs. 200/-

Noted environment activist Subhash Dutta has moved the National Green Tribunal alleging that the matches to be held at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium could disturb nearby eco-sensitive zone which includes a large lake—home to diverse flora and fauna and protected under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.

According to Mr Subhash Dutta, “After repeated notifications in newspapers and television, Mohun Bagan officials did not obtain the required certificated from the Environment Department. Instead they produced a letter from the Sports Department to the court which is a clear contempt of court. The concerned person who passed the order has no right to give the permission without getting a NOC from Environment Department.” He further stated, “The Mohun Bagan officials were over confident about holding the matches. But as it stands now there will be no I League matches at the venue.”

Mohun Bagan is scheduled to play all their home matches in I League at Rabindra Sarobar. The Green and Maroon footballers trained at the venue in the morning. The club President Swapan Sadhan Bose was present during the practice with other top officials of the club. Later there was a inspection by the Kolkata Police as well after the practice.

Earlier there was a similar problem with the hosting of Indian Super League (ISL) matches of Atletico de Kolkata. But the NGT observed that the ISL matches could be held on the condition that the organisers limit themselves to playing only the National Anthem and the theme song of the tournament. It also asked the West Bengal pollution control board and the Kolkata Improvement Trust to keep a vigil on any activity during the matches that could disturb the environment.

Mohun Bagan will appeal to the regular bench of High Court regarding this matter on Monday.