Govt may hand over Kanteerava stadium back to BBMP

Caught in a fight between footballers and athletes, the Kanteerava Outdoor stadium had always been in the eye of a storm.

Putting an end to the controversy, the state government has decided it would take back the stadium from the control of Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) once the lease period ends and hand it over to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

At a meeting of the Karnataka Sports Authority on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara is said to have told the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) to hand over the stadium to the BBMP for maintenance and supervision after the lapse of the lease period.

“The BFC had previously sought a one-year extension of the contract. At the end of one year, the department must take back the stadium and hand over it to the BBMP. If the BFC plans to hold any matches, the BBMP can rent the stadium at an affordable cost,” Parameshwara reportedly told the officials.

In May 2014, the department inked an agreement with JSW, the promoters of BFC, to lease the stadium until the FIFA U-17 World Cup. As per the agreement, the DYES must be paid Rs 50,000 on a match day and Rs 25,000 on each preparation day. Besides, JSW should maintain the stadium without causing any damage to the structure or track, a source in the DYES told DH.

When contacted for an official reaction on the matter, BFC officials refused to comment on the government’s decision.