Nehru Stadium to host first two I-League round ties in October

The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) has agreed to keep the renovation of the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on hold until after the first two rounds of the I–League 2012-13 are played in October.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar along with the manager Sujesh Rajan inspected the Nehru Stadium and confirmed that the first two rounds of the I-League will be held at the Nehru Stadium. The Tilak ground at Vasco will be ready to hold matches from fourth round onwards.

The third round matches will be all be away for the four Goa clubs -- Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar SC and Sporting Clube de Goa.

According to the latest arrangement, and agreed by the All India Football Federation, the first two rounds slotted on October 6-7 and October 13-14 will be played at Fatorda before the action shifts to Tilak ground, Vasco for the fourth round onwards.

The SAG had initially planned to keep the Nehru Stadium closed for a year so that the venue could be ready much ahead of the Lusofonia Games in November, 2013.

According to the tender document, the Nehru Stadium will be completed in 300 days or approximately in 10 months.