Turf work at Cooperage ground could start next week

MUMBAI: The city may finally see the work on the laying of the artificial turf at the Cooperage ground kick off next week. If everything goes according to plan, Cooperage will begin the process of shedding its age-old scalp, giving way for the measurement of the ground and subsequent laying of turf.
Western India Football Association (Wifa) have to accede to the needs of Mumbai District Football Association and allow the latter to conduct the remaining six elite division games.But with Mumbai FC, Air India and ONGC involved in the I-League, the practicality of getting these teams to play in the local league next week could be a big logistics problem.
Cooperage, which under the Fifa's goal project 'Win in India with India' has been sanctioned an artificial surface, could finally see the dream of having big-time football return to the city once the turf is laid. This year the I-League matches involving Mumbai teams are being played at Kolhapur.
Wifa CEO Henry Menezes said the ground will be taken up for measurement. "The size of the ground will be according to the artificial surface. The whole process of laying the turf can take anything between 90 to 120 days," said Henry.
At the other end is MDFA secretary Souter Vaz, whose primary concern is to get the league over and done with. "We have only six matches to play in the elite division. But the teams involved are all I-League outfits. We have written to them and plan to restart the league on March 20," said Souter. It is a tight deadline, with both Wifa and MDFA having a small window to conduct its unfinished business.