Atletico de Kolkata will be moving out of their fortress, Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), for the forthcoming Hero Indian Super League season. As depressing as the news is to the Bengali football enthusiasts or the Indian Super League fans, there is more to feel drab about once the facts are laid out in detail. However, there is a silver lining also which inevitably succeeds the dark cloud.
The Salt Lake Stadium, which is India’s biggest in terms of capacity is currently undergoing preparations for hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held in 2017. Renovations are in process that sees the bigger picture of not only raising country’s football infrastructure but also strengthening the foundation envisioned to create possibilities for Indian youth. On the flip side, due to its unavailability, the stadium is set to lose out on a number of crucial matches such as the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, Calcutta Premier League matches, and the mega annual event of Indian Super League.
Atletico de Kolkata will henceforth be playing their home games at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium after their officials identified it as the best possible venue. The new fortress for ATK is situated near the Rabindra Sarobar lake and is the only stadium in the southern parts of the city. Built in 1961, it can accommodate a capacity of only 22,000 and that is a huge bite in the wallets of the Kolkata-based franchise and in the hearts of the football-crazy fans of the city. As a matter of fact, the Salt Lake Stadium has a capacity of 68,000.
The ATK officials had to decide between other alternatives which were Barasat Stadium and Mohun Bagan, however, they have been turned down even as practice venues. Essentially, the predicament for conducting training sessions still looms large. ISL authorities met West Bengal's Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and reported the issue. However, their request for using The Salt Lake facilities was turned down as Biswas clarified to the officials the unavailability of the ground.
"The representatives from FIFA will visit the stadium in October. It's impossible to let them use the stadium before it. I understand the attraction of ISL is huge among football lovers but we must also understand this venue is a matter of pride for us and we must prioritise the Under-17 World Cup at the moment," Biswas clarified on the issue.
Also read: Atletico de Kolkata face practice ground predicament
While Salt Lake needs no introduction, Rabindra Sarobar Stadium must be remembered for its historic significance. Amongst memorable events at this stadium, Yuri Gagrin, the first Russian Astronaut was given a reception in this stadium. Emyl Zatopek, the legendary athlete of all times was also accorded civic reception in this stadium.
In fact, the great German keeper Oliver Kahn had also played his last game in a testimonial game at the stadium. A few years earlier, it also hosted Lionel Messi and the Argentine team as it played an international friendly against Venezuela in front of a full crowd.
A number of international football matches including the match such as India vs Iran, India vs Czech Republic and India vs Russian Eleven were played on the turf of this stadium.
On the brighter side, the news should bring Rabindra Sarobar Stadium back into the limelight. One of the oldest stadiums in the country, its appointment as the new home ground for ATK could be a blessing in disguise as its use would be expanded from mere morning walks and chit-chats in its renowned auditorium.
Moreover, it could seek the attention that its sorry state-of-affairs need and hopefully the venue will be restored to its past activity. Presently, it is also used by Tollygunge Agragami, a Calcutta Football League club, besides being occasionally rented out to schools for their Sports Day events.
Salt Lake Stadium has such paramount significance that it can easily be termed as the Mecca of Indian football. Besides being used prominently for featuring the Indian National Team’s international fixtures, the Oliver Kahn farewell match and the friendly between Argentina and Venezuela are the major highlights at this stadium. Bayern Munich beat Mohun Bagan 3-0 in a match hosted for German legend Kahn, while Lionel Messi’s appearance is an anecdote that will be told by Kolkata mothers for generations to come.
ATK, under newly appointed head coach Jose Molina, will host defending champions Chennaiyin FC in the opening fixture of the Hero ISL at their new fortress on Sunday, 2nd October 2016.
