Bengaluru, October 11: It's official! Indian Super League (ISL) champions Bengaluru FC will play their home matches of the 2019-20 season at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium itself.
Due to a long running dispute with the Karnataka Athletics Association (AAA), the JSW-owned club had initially listed Pune's Balewadi Stadium as their home ground for the ISL season six beginning on October 20.
However, BFC confirmed that it has got the letter of consent from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Government of Karnataka, to use the facilities at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
ISL 2019: Bengaluru FC adopts Balewadi Stadium on Pune as home venue
"We can confirm that Bengaluru FC will be playing its home games for the 2019-20 season out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium," the club made the official announcement on their Twitter handle.
To quell any and all doubts, we are playing AT the Fortress this season. 🙂 #WeAreBFC #RoomForMore https://t.co/ejHH2wYQRe
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 10, 2019
It may be recalled that the KAA had been opposing BFC using the Sree Kanteerava Stadium and had approached the Karnataka High Court to restrain football activities at the stadium premises arguing that venue was built exclusively for track and field events.
"We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Karnataka, the Sports Ministry, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, the Karnataka Athletics Association and all other stakeholders and associations for their support in making this happen," the club tweeted.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Government. of Karnataka, the Sports Ministry, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, the Karnataka Athletic Association and all other stakeholders and associations for their support in making this happen.
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 10, 2019
"Our endeavour, as always, will be to keep the flag of the state flying high in the field of sport and beyond," another tweet from the club said.
Our endeavour, as always, will be to keep the flag of the state flying high in the field of sport and beyond. #WeAreBFC #RoomForMore
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) October 10, 2019
BFC, who beat FC Goa 1-0 in the final to clinch their maiden ISL crown, will begin their title defence with a home match against Northeast United FC on October 21.
A week later, they take on FC Goa in the first-away fixture at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.