Churchill Bros opt for Raia as home ground for I-League

Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC have settled for the Panchayat ground at Raia as their home, at least for the initial matches in the I-League.
Churchill will play their first home game against Goan rivals Dempo SC on Dec 18.
The two-time former I-League champions were planning to host their home games at the SAG ground in Benaulim but were unable to get construct temporary dressing rooms.
“We brought in the containers (for the dressing rooms) but they were found to be small,” club CEO Valanka Alemao told TOI on Saturday. “We tried to make alternative arrangements too by shipping containers from elsewhere, but time was too short. So, we decided to have the games at Raia, where the panchayat has been very helpful.”
The club has already started working on the turf at Raia and remain confident that they can get it in top shape before the high-profile clash involving the two Goan clubs.
The ground in Raia has hosted the Durand Cup in the past and was a training venue for teams during the Lusofonia Games. The ground is also home to Raia Sporting Club, which organises the longest running inter-village football tournament of Goa, the Custodio Memorial football tourney, started over 50 years ago.
Meanwhile, Dempo’s home venue remains uncertain. Even though the club remains confident that they will be allowed to host their home games at the Academy ground in Ella, Old Goa, All India Football Federation (AIFF) sources said a lot of improvement is needed before a confirmation can be provided.
Dempo are not scheduled to host any I-League game until early next year.
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