Save the Neville D’Souza football ground : Stop the BMC land grab in Bandra
The Issue
The Appeal
To: The Prime Minister of India, The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Football brings life and joy to billions across the globe. As fans in India watch the world's best compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026, it is a bitter pill to swallow that our country—the most populous nation on earth with 1.45 billion people and the 4th largest global economy—is nowhere near the pitch. We sit at a dismal FIFA ranking of 113.
Every true sports lover knows why: India suffers from a severe, structural lack of grassroots sports infrastructure.
That is why the sports community in Mumbai has been struck by a rude, deeply disappointing shock. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to delete the playground reservation of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation to convert it into a commercial convention and exhibition centre.
We cannot allow our youth to be sidelined for real estate and corporate events.
Why the Neville D’Souza Ground is Irreplaceable:
The Heart of Mumbai Football: For over a decade, this dedicated, FIFA-standard turf has been the bedrock of the city's football ecosystem.
Serving 8,000+ Young Athletes Annually: Every year, nearly 8,000 boys and girls use this pitch to train, exercise, and dream of representing India.
A Bustling Sports Hub: The ground operates at full capacity from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily. It hosts 400 teams competing in the Youth Premier Football League and another 300 senior football clubs affiliated with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA). On weekends, it hosts up to 12 back-to-back competitive matches.
Preserving Legend & Legacy: Named after Neville D’Souza—the legendary Indian footballer who scored a historic hat-trick at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics—this ground symbolizes the rich heritage of Indian sport.
Mumbai already survives on less than one square meter of open space per person. Replacing a vibrant, active sports facility with concrete blocks for corporate exhibitions is a massive step backward for our youth and our health.
Our Demands:
1. Immediate Cancellation: We demand that the BMC and state urban planning authorities immediately cancel the proposal to change the land-use reservation of the 8,450 sq. meter plot.
2. Permanent Protection: We demand that the Neville D’Souza ground permanently retain its dedicated sports/playground status in Mumbai’s Development Plan.
3. Empower Grassroots Sport: Hand the ground over permanently to the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) to continue cultivating young talent.
If India ever hopes to see the Blue Tigers play in the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the movement to protect our grounds must start right here, right now.
Please sign this petition in large numbers, share it with your networks, and help us save Mumbai football!
Victory
The Issue
The Appeal
To: The Prime Minister of India, The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Football brings life and joy to billions across the globe. As fans in India watch the world's best compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026, it is a bitter pill to swallow that our country—the most populous nation on earth with 1.45 billion people and the 4th largest global economy—is nowhere near the pitch. We sit at a dismal FIFA ranking of 113.
Every true sports lover knows why: India suffers from a severe, structural lack of grassroots sports infrastructure.
That is why the sports community in Mumbai has been struck by a rude, deeply disappointing shock. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to delete the playground reservation of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation to convert it into a commercial convention and exhibition centre.
We cannot allow our youth to be sidelined for real estate and corporate events.
Why the Neville D’Souza Ground is Irreplaceable:
The Heart of Mumbai Football: For over a decade, this dedicated, FIFA-standard turf has been the bedrock of the city's football ecosystem.
Serving 8,000+ Young Athletes Annually: Every year, nearly 8,000 boys and girls use this pitch to train, exercise, and dream of representing India.
A Bustling Sports Hub: The ground operates at full capacity from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily. It hosts 400 teams competing in the Youth Premier Football League and another 300 senior football clubs affiliated with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA). On weekends, it hosts up to 12 back-to-back competitive matches.
Preserving Legend & Legacy: Named after Neville D’Souza—the legendary Indian footballer who scored a historic hat-trick at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics—this ground symbolizes the rich heritage of Indian sport.
Mumbai already survives on less than one square meter of open space per person. Replacing a vibrant, active sports facility with concrete blocks for corporate exhibitions is a massive step backward for our youth and our health.
Our Demands:
1. Immediate Cancellation: We demand that the BMC and state urban planning authorities immediately cancel the proposal to change the land-use reservation of the 8,450 sq. meter plot.
2. Permanent Protection: We demand that the Neville D’Souza ground permanently retain its dedicated sports/playground status in Mumbai’s Development Plan.
3. Empower Grassroots Sport: Hand the ground over permanently to the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) to continue cultivating young talent.
If India ever hopes to see the Blue Tigers play in the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the movement to protect our grounds must start right here, right now.
Please sign this petition in large numbers, share it with your networks, and help us save Mumbai football!
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Petition created on 30 June 2026