IMG-R confirms Guwahati as one venue for their upcoming football league

FILE PHOTO: Indira Gandhi National Athletics stadium

Heart of North East India Guwahati city was confirmed as one of the venue for upcoming IPL styled IMG-R football league. Indira Gandhi National Athletics stadium, Sarusajai will host the matches scheduled to be held at January next year.

IMG-R yesterday signed a MoU with the caretaker of the stadium Sports Authority of Assam. This also confirmed that Guwahati will also have a franchisee team.

The MoU was signed in presence of AIFF vice president from north east Mr. Larsing Ming Sawyan

Speaking to The Telegraph, Rana Goswami, vice-chairman of the SAA confirmed, “It was signed by their (IMG-Reliance) representative Salin and by myself and director-general Ratul Chandra Duarah on behalf of SAA, in the presence of AIFF vice-president from the Northeast, Larsing Ming Sawyan in Guwahati.”

“According to the MoU, the city will play host to seven matches and the rent for the infrastructure will be Rs 2 lakh per match. Besides, the organisers (IMG-Reliance) will pay Rs 60,000 per day as rent for ground preparation and pre-match practice days. An amount of Rs 25 crore will also be deposited with us as security,” he added.

Goswami explained, “Tender has been floated for installation of additional lights at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium. The turf development work will commence on Monday. Other related works will also be completed well ahead of time.”

“This is a new chapter added to the history of football in the Northeast. I would like to personally thank the Assam chief minister for taking the initiative. Being an AIFF vice-president from the region, I had an opportunity to brief him about the league. I told him that it was necessary for the region to be part of this new venture in football after the region is represented in the I-League and Guwahati is the only city that qualifies for it. He took it up quite seriously and ensured the city as a venue,” elucidated Larsing Ming.

“This is going to help football grow by leaps and bounds in this talent pocket of the nation,” added Ming.

“Every venue city is bound to be a franchise team owner. Thus, Guwahati will definitely be a franchise team,” expressed Ankur Dutta, Assam Football Association (AFA) Secretary.

IMG-R team visited the stadium two months ago and suggested some renovation work. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi personally took initiative and ordered possible renovation.

After this development there are joyful cheers among the fans of Assam as they are going to witness some international flavoured football in the city.