ISL 2019-20 -- Delhi Dynamos are considering a move to the Delhi University Stadium
DELHI DYNAMOS ARE FINALLY CONSIDERING moving out of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and while multiple venues are being considered, one of the stadiums in question will make their fans very happy.
Rumours have been rife for months that DDFC are looking to move out of Delhi following lukewarm response from fans. It is a fact that the attendance at the JLN Stadium has been going downhill in recent times and due to the massive size of the arena the crowd looks even smaller. The pitch is also at a great distance from the stands, which mars the experience for the spectators.
Ambedkar Stadium has been seen as a possible venue for DDFC to move to for some time now but the renovation costs - including spatial issues regarding parking and other facilities that may require widespread reshaping of the area - have dissuaded the DDFC management from making the switch so far.
But one ground may provide an affordable solution to the problems Delhi Dynamos are facing and help the franchise remain in Delhi.
Reacting to a newspaper report that DDFC are in talks for a move to the Kalninga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the franchise's director Rohan Sharma took to Twitter to reveal that the team is, in fact, looking at the Delhi University Stadium as a home ground.
DDFC is apparently planing to move to three different cities next year.
— Rohvechkin (@MrRohanSharma) April 18, 2019
Can TOI do me a favor and report that we are trying to move to DU instead and that club officials went yesterday to discuss?
It can be used right now can use 2k , and we would plan to add more stands to bring it 8k which is a good size to create a good atmosphere for our games. Not to mention the fact fans will be closer to the pitch and its next to our core audience https://t.co/z5TWBKDAb9
— Rohvechkin (@MrRohanSharma) April 18, 2019
The small, compact arena, known colloquially as DU Ground, hosted rugby matches during the Commonwealth Games. The stadium is well located, close to the DTB Nagar Metro Station (Yellow Line), and is surrounded by university student hostels; which plays right into DDFC's fairly young fanbase.
There's a good chance that playing in the DU Ground, or any other smaller arena in New Delhi, will radically alter the matchday atmosphere and lay the seeds of a long term fanbase as supporters get hooked to the proximity to action and the impactful presence that fans have in compact stadiums.
