NEROCA FC to play remainder of their home fixtures from Shillong; TRAU to play from Kalyani

NEROCA FC played first half of the I-League home fixtures from Kalyani.

Imphal-based I-League side NEROCA FC have decided to relocate their home fixtures to Shillong while TRAU will return back to Kalyani for the remainder of the season due to the ongoing troubles in Manipur, Khel Now can exclusively confirm.

The team, which initially played the first half of its home games at Kalyani in West Bengal, was keen on finding a base near their hometown. Unfortunately, due to the unrest in Manipur, matches cannot be held at their home ground, Khuman Lampak Stadium.

Cross-town rivals TRAU FC had opted to play the last few games of the first part of the season in Imphal. The decision aims to provide the players with the comfort of staying near their home, maintaining similar eating patterns and staying within the budget constraints. The move to Shillong was considered a practical choice under the circumstances.

A source close to the developments revealed, “The club decided to shift to Shillong to give the comfort of staying near their home, similar eating patterns and this was in the similar budget as well compared to expenses at Kalyani.” 

The decision reflects the challenges faced by football clubs in the region affected by socio-political issues, forcing them to adapt and find alternative solutions for hosting matches.

The Imphal Derby, originally scheduled to take place at Khuman Lampak Stadium, has reportedly been called off, with no confirmed rescheduled date. The situation in Manipur has posed logistical challenges for football clubs, affecting their ability to play in front of their home crowd and disrupting the usual flow of the league.

Currently positioned in 12th place, NEROCA FC find themselves in a precarious situation, hovering near the relegation zone. With 13 games left in the season, the club are under pressure to produce favorable results and solidify its place in the I-League.

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