Footballers, coaches protest BMC proposal to turn Bandra ground into convention centre
Footballers and coaches in Bandra, Mumbai, are protesting a municipal proposal to convert the Neville D'Souza Football Ground into a convention center. Community members argue that the loss of this facility would severely impact thousands of young athletes and local sports development.
Why it matters
The protest reflects the ongoing conflict between urban development projects and the preservation of public recreational spaces in densely populated cities.
Hundreds of footballers, coaches, parents and supporters gathered at the Neville D'Souza Football Ground in Bandra on Sunday (August 23, 2026) to protest against a proposal to convert the ground into a convention-cum-exhibition centre, saying the redevelopment would take away one of the city's few accessible football grounds and affect thousands of players.
The protest came amid the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's push to clear the proposal. According to protesters, the ground is used by players ranging from young children to senior footballers for training, school tournaments and league matches.
The ground, which has been in use since 2018, sees football activity from early morning until late at night, with several academies and clubs using the facility for training and competitive matches.
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