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Jammu and Kashmir had got the hosting rights of the Federation Cup following a meeting of the AIFF executive committee last month but now it looks like Goa will be the hosts instead, according to a TOI report.
The Federation Cup was supposed to be held in Jammu and Kashmir in May 2015 but now the AIFF want to advance the tournament to December 2014 and Goa seems to be the state best equipped to host India’s FA Cup during that period.
“We have asked Goa if they are willing to host the tournament in December 2014. Unfortunately, there is now a change in plan and the Federation Cup cannot be played in May (2015) since the Indian team has international assignments and many players consider May as off-season,” a senior AIFF official was quoted saying.
The Indian federation initially wanted to advance the tournament to August, before the Indian Super League (ISL), which will take place from September 19 to November 30. But with many players called up for India’s Asian Games preparations some clubs will have a disadvantage like Dempo and Sporting Clube – who have five players each in the 30-man probables list with the camp starting in Bangalore from July 1 – and hence the AIFF are looking to stage India’s FA Cup in December.
According to AIFF officials, Goa will be the ideal venue for the tournament as the football-crazy state has two stadiums – Nehru Stadium in Fatorda and Tilak Maidan in Vasco – good enough to host matches and there are several other training grounds as well around the state, which has been made possible following the successful hosting of the Lusofonia Games earlier this year.
The Goa Football Association is also ready to host the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest domestic cup competition, from October 29 while Jammu and Kashmir’s wait to host the Federation Cup is unfortunately set to extend. The valley has only hosted the tournament once in 1986.
2005 was the last time Goa hosted the Federation Cup and the now-disbanded Mahindra United were the champions.
