Does football need to get more suburban?

WIFA's ambition to renovate the Cooperage is admirable. But when it comes to attracting crowds, the 'burbs seem a better bet
The WIFA (Western India Football Association) plans to renovate the Cooperage ground. It will take them some two months to get clearances from New Delhi. But the big questions is, will a face-lifted Cooperage rewind the clock to the pre-80s era and attract such crowds that once resulted in a partial stadium collapse?
"Switch off all the TVs in Mumbai and see... you will have trouble just getting inside this place," says Kehar Singh, President of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA). "Why will spectators come to watch matches here when they can see quality football on TV?"
However, two-time football Olympian SS Narayan and former national coach and international Dereyk deSouza feel attendance has dropped because many followers have shifted to the suburbs.
Says Narayan, "Even the NFL matches involving the country's leading clubs do not enthuse spectators. On the other hand, private tournaments in Bandra, Malad and Borivali receive a good response. I feel games will be well attended if a stadium comes up in the suburbs. Watching matches there will be more convenient than in South Mumbai."
DeSouza says, "Many former footballers and fans have gone to places like Borivali, Malad, Thane and Mulund. They are not prepared to make the long trip to the city. They prefer to stay home to watch international matches on television instead."

Is it time, then, for football to go suburban?
MDFA treasurer Souter Vaz says the organisation will do it if necessary.
"But finding a location for a new suburban venue would be a hitch," he said. "We had approached previous state governments, but drew blanks. We, however, have the capacity to raise funds for a stadium."
Air-India coach Bimal Ghosh welcomes the idea of spreading major football events around the city.
"If the MDFA sets out to develop a stadium or bring more events to the suburbs, they have to make a quick decision and implement it with the support of the state government."
However, M Somaya, the football-loving, football-playing former hockey captain and Olympian, does not see much point in taking big games to the suburbs.
"What organisers need to do is publicise the game better," he says. "Besides, match times have to change. They should be played late in the evening so that office-goers can watch them."
Former international and Maharashtra skipper Santosh Kashyap echoed Somaya's thoughts.
"It is not possible for any employed football enthusiast to take leave and watch a game," he says, suggesting that professional responsibilities, and not proximity to the stadium, were responsible for thin attendances.
Even if Cooperage had to share the spotlight, which venue would it share with? As Narayan pointed out, there is not a single ground in the suburbs that complies with FIFA regulations.
"Kalina may like football," he says. "But it has been neglected when it comes to grounds. Whatever open land there is goes to builders as politicians are only interested in money."
Dr Akhtar Rizvi, MP (Member of Parliament) and a sports enthusiast, says there is no provision made for football grounds in the city.
"I had requested the late Sunil Dutt to allot land to a good football club, but it was given to SAI, who already have a ground in Kandivli," Rizvi says.
The suburbs may be the heart of Mumbai football, but Cooperage looks likely to remain its only home.

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