Thiruvananthapuram: Rising football stars in Beemapally have been practicing at an unfinished football ground, the work on which started several years ago. In fact, footballers all over the city have not had a proper football ground for practice, players say. This, even though there are more than 30 Government-owned grounds. District Football Association General Secretary S. Geeverghese says, “Most of the grounds are out of bounds for young footballers. Many are part of school compounds and are reserved for the school’s sports activities. The main football grounds in Thiruvananthapuram charge a certain amount. Local clubs may not be able to afford the fee.”
Central Stadium leases the ground for a charge of Rs 250 per day. Even for district selection and coaching camps, the Association needs to pay a fee, according to Mr Geeverghese. Normally, young players use any available open space. But turf is important as players would be ready to take more risks, according to Ebin Rose, Head Coach, Kovalam Football Club. “Playing on turf greatly improves their techniques. The ball moves and turns at a different speed on grass. This improves their performance,” he says.
He says that the turf on many football grounds are ill-maintained. University Stadium football ground, which was recently refurbished during National Games, had almost lost its turf, even though there were enough staff to take care of it, he says. As for the ground in Beemapally, it might receive a facelift, as councillor Beemapally Rasheed hopes to push for the project. “Work here started when Jayan Babu was Mayor, and I was a councillor. After my previous tenure, the work got stalled,” says Rasheed. Clubs like Beemapally Phoenix would benefit, if it works out.
