I-League: Dempo wait for AIFF’s green signal to play at 'home'

Panaji: Dempo SC are waiting for go ahead from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to host their home games in the I-League at Ella in Old Goa.
In the past, Dempo have hosted second and third division games at their academy ground in Old Goa, but need to comply with the league’s requirements this season.
“So far we have not heard anything from the AIFF,” Dempo CEO Pradhyum Reddy told TOI on Thursday. “We are working towards getting our home venue ready.”
Both former champions from Goa, Dempo and Churchill Brothers, have so far played their matches away from home, since the start of the league on Nov 22. Churchill are scheduled to host Dempo at Raia on Wednesday.
“We have already conducted second division, third division here. We are compliant with that. We definitely need to upgrade in the near future, but it's not going to happen overnight,” said Pradhyum.
AIFF regulations require teams to have a medical room with attached bathrooms and it must also be adjacent to the dressing rooms of the teams.
Moreover, the camera and broadcast stands must face the spectators. The league also emphasizes on a 5,000-capacity seating arrangement.
“We have already got quotations for floodlights. Clubs like Namdhari, Sreenidi are already playing at smaller venues and AIFF will have to relax with that,” said Pradhyum.
Unable to meet the requirements which includes separate dressing rooms and seating for spectators, Churchill Brothers have already shifted their home venue from SAG ground at Benaulim to the Panchayat ground in Raia.
In the past, Churchill have played their I-League matches at Tilak Maidan in Vasco, but the pitch and infrastructure is in a bad state.
The Duler Football Stadium in Mapusa, owned by the Goa Football Association, does not meet league requirements, while the Athletic Stadium at Bambolim is used by FC Goa as a training venue.
Meanwhile, Dempo have got off to a decent start on their return to the I-League. They were undefeated after three games, until they lost against Sporting Club Bengaluru 1-3 in their last outing.
Dempo are now placed fourth with seven points in the 12-team league and face Sreenidi Deccan FC on Friday.
Dempo are scheduled to play their first home game against league leaders Inter Kashi on Jan 10.