AIFF cites exorbitant rates charged by SDAT for using facilities

The All India Football Federation has decided to move the Champions Cup international football tournament from Chennai to Mumbai. Kushal Das, AIFF secretary, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that this was necessitated as the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu was charging high rates for using its facilities.

Das said the amount charged by SDAT was exorbitant and that Federation could not afford it. “We are bringing international football to Chennai after so many years, and SDAT is treating it as a commercial event. It is really sad,” said Das. He added that Mumbai will be charging far lesser than what SDAT had asked for.

Early on Wednesday, SDAT had given permission to the host Tamil Nadu Football Association to conduct the tournament with the following rates: ₹2 lakh per match, practice session per day ₹75,000 and another ₹75,000 if the teams train at the Nehru ‘B’ ground.

“Apart from this, there are charges for electricity, floodlights, and others,” said Das.

Jesiah Villavarayar, president, TN Football Association, has been interacting with top SDAT officials to convince them to reduce the tariff, but unsuccessfully.

The senior National team which was scheduled to arrive here on Aug. 11, will now train in Mumbai. Initially announced as a four-nation tournament, the Champions Cup has been reduced to three with India, St. Kitts & Nevis and Mauritius confirming their participation.