Shillong, Jun 2: Work is ongoing to lay pipes to improve the drainage at the SSA Stadium at First Ground.
Drainage at the ground has been an issue ever since the new artificial turf was laid in 2023. The original plan was to channel water through a new drain on the road running parallel to the stadium but this hit a stumbling block after opposition from the Shillong Recreational Ground Trust.
It has finally been decided to route the water along the perimeter of the pitch and out into the Wahumkhrah River.
Work is underway and the pipes should be laid within 8-9 days. However, setting the cement in the area around the dugouts will probably take a few days more.
With work to relay the artificial turf at Third Ground taking place and the dirt pitch at Second Ground having been flooded for several weeks now, there is, once again, no venue in Polo for local football (not counting the natural grass surface at the JN Stadium reserved for high profile matches).
The Shillong Sports Association’s 2025 football season was meant to begin today with the start of the U-20 Fourth Division. However, heavy rain in Shillong over the last week made it clear that no action would be possible unless the drainage system was improved and the start of the season has now been pushed back.
The SSA season was to be opened by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. In any event, the CM did inspect the ground today while he was in Polo for another function. The SSA has sought the government’s support in constructing a gallery on the southwest side of the ground next to the river.
(TSR photo)
