Mumbai’s football community is rallying to protect the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation after a proposal sought to change the plot’s reservation from a playground to a convention and exhibition centre.

The 8,450-square-metre venue is one of the city’s better-known football facilities, with FIFA-standard artificial turf, stands and dressing rooms. It is used by local clubs, youth teams and district-level competitions, making it a valuable training and playing space for children and aspiring footballers.

The BMC general body approved the proposal on August 18, but the change requires further government approval. The dispute has since reached the Bombay High Court, which has restrained the BMC and Maharashtra government from taking further steps for now.

For footballers and coaches, the issue goes beyond a single ground. They argue that Mumbai already has limited accessible spaces where young players can train and compete on a professional-standard surface.

The ground was inaugurated in its present form in 2018 and is named after Neville D’Souza, the Indian football great who scored a hat-trick against Australia at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. It has hosted local and district-level tournaments and is seen by many players as a bridge between amateur football and higher-level competition.

Supporters say that quality infrastructure is essential for developing players. While Mumbai has major sporting venues, access for grassroots footballers is often restricted by cost, availability or the needs of elite competitions.

For children who otherwise play on mud grounds, school fields or small commercial turfs, the Bandra venue provides a rare chance to experience a full-sized, well-equipped football environment. Coaches and parents say that regular access to such facilities can improve training standards and give young players more confidence to pursue the sport seriously.

The concern is that removing the ground without providing an equivalent alternative could further narrow opportunities for players from ordinary neighbourhoods and local clubs.

The legal battle has added urgency to the campaign. The Mumbai Football Association challenged the proposed reservation change, and the Bombay High Court has directed authorities to refrain from taking further action until the next hearing.

The court also raised concerns after being told that the BMC general body had moved ahead with the proposal despite an earlier assurance that no action would be taken before the matter was heard. The case has brought attention to wider questions over public playgrounds, urban planning and the protection of open spaces in Mumbai.

The BMC’s plan has attracted opposition from footballers, parents, coaches and political leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray joined a recent protest, while NCP leader Zeeshan Siddique also backed calls to protect the facility. The BJP has rejected Opposition allegations linked to the dispute.

The controversy has become a wider debate over whether a growing city can protect public sporting spaces while meeting development needs. Football supporters say the answer must include preserving existing grounds and expanding access to quality facilities.

Mumbai has a large football-following population and thousands of young players, but advocates say enthusiasm alone cannot produce professional athletes. They argue that players need regular access to safe, well-maintained grounds where they can train and compete.

The future of the Neville D’Souza Ground will depend on the legal process and the government’s final decision. For now, the court’s intervention has given campaigners time to press their case: that a city hoping to produce better footballers cannot afford to lose one of its few professional-standard grassroots venues.