Kolkata, not Delhi, will host Federation Cup football

New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) The laidback attitude of the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) has let the Federation Cup football tournament go out of the national capital and it will now be held in Kolkata.

A senior AIFF official told IANS that Kolkata will host the 30th edition of the knock-out tournament for the second time in three years.

Both Delhi and Gurgaon were earlier picked as venues of the Federation Cup and asked Kolkata to be stand-by.

The executive committee, according to the officials, was not happy with DSA's disinterest to hold such a prestigious event. When the DSA officials were unwilling to hold their own state league how can they think of the Federation Cup, he said.

The official also said a formal decision will be taken at the AIFF executive committee meeting in the capital Nov 22.

DSA officials, however, have a different take. They are unhappy with the AIFF for denying them the opportunity to host the event.

'It is really disappointing. Though the AIFF wanted us to give it the assurance only last month, we are ready to host it as scheduled. In fact, only to prepare for the Federation Cup, we put off our league,' said DSA secretary N.K. Bhatia.

The Federation Cup will have a new format this year and will be played on the lines of FA Cup.