Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Over 500 footballers from across the state took part in a massive 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.
According to the president of All Assam Football Players' Association Hem Das, 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 organized in the city. His demand the authorities of the Nehru Stadium to be reopened for football. It should also be allowed in the Judges' Field.
Das said football was allowed in the Nehru Stadium as well as Judges' Field through mutual understanding with cricket match organizers earlier, but for nearly two months now no football is being allowed in these two fields.
Das stated that due to non-availability of ground, reputated soccer tournaments like Lokapriyo Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy, Guwahati Super Division Trophy, and others could not be hosted.
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.
Brahma said the Association has submitted a list of 10 sites in and around Guwahati to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare for developing as football ground. But AFA don't get any information on progress on their proposal yet.
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