BMC’s proposal to convert nearly 8,450 sq m of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground into a convention centre has triggered protests from footballers, coaches, local residents, sports associations and even politicians

Mumbai: Concern over the future of Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra West echoed in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with NCP MLC Zeeshan Siddique urging the state government to protect one of Mumbai’s most important football venues from redevelopment.Siddique on Wednesday said the ground serves thousands of footballers and has played a key role in nurturing sporting talent in the city. He warned that the steady loss of playgrounds and open spaces was harming the development of football and other sports in Mumbai.“We often ask why India does not qualify for the FIFA World Cup or why Indian footballers do not feature regularly in top international clubs. How will our players reach that level if we continue taking away their grounds?” Siddique asked, calling for immediate intervention by the state government.The issue has gained prominence amid opposition to BMC’s proposal to convert nearly 8,450 sq m of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground into a convention centre. The proposal has triggered protests from footballers, coaches, local residents and sports associations, who argue that the city cannot afford to lose one of its few dedicated football facilities.Named after Neville D’Souza, the first Indian footballer to score a hat-trick at the Olympic Games, the ground has long been a hub for grassroots coaching, school tournaments, local leagues and competitive football.The Mumbai Football Association, along with several clubs and football academies, has also voiced concern over the proposed change in land use. Supporters of the ground argue that Mumbai is already facing an acute shortage of playgrounds and sports infrastructure, making preservation of existing facilities critical.The issue has also acquired political significance, with leaders across party lines expressing concern that replacing sports grounds with built infrastructure would undermine efforts to promote sporting culture among youngsters.Siddique urged the government to safeguard the ground for future generations, saying that preserving sports infrastructure is essential if Mumbai and the country hope to produce world-class football talent and encourage greater participation in the sport.Key demands by footballers and citizens include:* Withdrawal of the proposal to convert the football ground into a convention centre* Retention of the entire land exclusively for sports and recreation* Long-term protection of the ground through a permanent playground reservation* Consultation with football associations, residents and sports bodies before any change in land use* A broader policy to safeguard Mumbai’s playgrounds from commercial or non-sporting development