ISL champions Bengaluru FC enlist Balewadi Stadium as backup venue for upcoming season

The Blues are currently embroiled in a tussle to use the facilities at the Kanteerava Stadium.

In an official club update, Bengaluru FC confirmed to fans of the Indian Super League that the team has enlisted the Balewadi stadium in Pune as a venue for their home games for the 2019-2020 season.

The Bengaluru club’s connect with the Kanteerva stadium has been under scrutiny for some time following the complaints of certain local atheletes who claimed that the club's footballing activities interfered with their ability to train.

The issue is to be resolved in the High Court. However, AIFF’s Club Licencing deadline meant that BFC was effectively forced into enlisting the Balewadi as a contingency in case the issue is not resolved by the 18th of October.

The club statement read, “In a bid to adhere to the AIFF Club Licensing deadline, Bengaluru FC has enlisted the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune as the venue for its home games for the coming season. However, the club is working closely with all stakeholders involved to find an amicable solution, and ensure that Bengaluru FC plays its home games out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.”.

However, the club is working closely with all stakeholders involved to find an amicable solution, and ensure that Bengaluru FC plays its home games out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 18, 2019

UPDATE: In a bid to adhere to the AIFF Club Licensing deadline, Bengaluru FC has enlisted the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune as the venue for its home games for the coming season.

        — Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 18, 2019

Pune of course has recently lost their ISL franchise. This update will come as a welcome update to the fans of the Indian game in the city. BFC has expressed their desire to stay at the Kanteerva stadium but the verdict of the court, may alter those policies.

The move was made possible by Mandar Tamhane, the CEO of Bengaluru FC who was the former treasurer of the Pune District Football Association.

Thus, the path to the usage of the Balewadi stadium for the team's home games was made that much easier.

In conversation with Scroll.in, Tamhane said, “ We want to stay here and we are hopeful. We are waiting for the official confirmation on the issue as we cannot do much till we hear anything,".

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We have to play in the AFC Cup. So keeping that in mind, the only two alternatives that are possible are Pune and Ahmedabad as those are the only two stadiums that fulfill that criteria. Odisha was one but since Delhi are moving there, that is no longer an option”

Bengaluru FC kick off their campaign at Pune against NEUFC on the 21st of October 2019.