PUNE: After bidding goodbye to Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Pune City who shifted to Hyderabad recently, Pune’s hope to stay on the ISL map received a fresh boost when Bengaluru FC enlisted the Balewadi Stadium in Pune as the venue for its home games for the coming season, in a bid to adhere to All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s Club Licensing deadline, the club announced on Wednesday.

The deadline to submit stadium-related licensing documents to the AFC and AIFF was September 15.

Trouble began when Karnataka Athletics Association (KAA) filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court restraining footballing activities on Kanteerava saying it was only for athletic events.

Mandar Tamhane, CEO, Bengaluru FC said “We had an AIFF Club Licensing deadline to honour, and given our discussions over the use of the Kanteerava Stadium are ongoing, we enlisted the Balewadi Stadium in Pune as the venue for our home games. I would like to specially thank Shri. Om Prakash Bakoria, Commissioner of Sports, Government of Maharashtra and Anand Venkeshwar, Deputy Director for their prompt support in making the Balewadi available to us.” 

“The club has represented Karnataka and Bengaluru with pride and has received tremendous love and support from the fans and we hope we can keep this going,” Tamhane added.

On Wednesday, Bengaluru FC tweeted: ‘In a bid to adhere to the AIFF Club Licensing deadline, Bengaluru FC has enlisted the Balewadi Stadium, in Pune as the venue for its home games for the coming season. However, the club is working closely with all stakeholders involved to find an amicable solution, and ensure that Bengaluru FC plays its home games out of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The city has been our Fortress, its people our strength and its glory, our endeavour. We hope to keep all of them intact.’