FIFA satisfied with Mumbai football ground

FIFA officials Eric Harrison and Chrisantha Perera on Friday inspected the Cooperage ground and expressed satisfaction that it had the requisite conditions for laying an artificial turf sanctioned by football's world governing body.

"This is a good place. The Western India Football Association (WIFA) owns the ground, it has good drainage facilities and has also proper security to ensure that football activities get priority," Harrison said after taking a look of the venue.

Harrison, who has experience of getting astro-turfs sanctioned in several Asian countries, and Perera have already visited Bangalore.

"I am also satisfied with Bangalore (football stadium)," said the FIFA official who would send his report after he returns to the United Kingdom next week.

They are set to travel to the North-East to inspect Shillong (Polo ground) and Imphal (National Sports Academy).

The turf is reported to cost between $500,000 to $600,000 and All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended five centres, Hoshiarpur in Punjab being the fifth, under FIFA's "Win in India with India" project.

"If all goes well it would take three or four weeks for the turfs to be sanctioned. Then the tendering process will start and would take two more months," he said.

As per the current indications if work begins by early January 2010, the laying of the turf at the Cooperage can be completed in four months, before the onset of the next monsoon.

The FIFA officials said that the turf can be utilised for a maximum of six hours daily or three matches can be held.

It can also be used for cultural activities if proper covers are used to avoid damage to the turf, which comes with an eight-year warranty.

Harrison, however, cautioned WIFA authorities, that they would need to get the sanction of the manufacturer if they want to use it for holding cultural activities like music concerts.