Shillong, Jul 21: Despite work just last month to improve the drainage at the SSA Stadium at First Ground in Polo, the pitch still struggles to cope with heavy rain, making it less than an ideal location for football during the monsoon.
This has been witnessed several times over the last few days, including today during the SSA Third Division match between Imson and Lumparing.
Though admittedly today’s downpour was especially heavy, the ground couldn’t cope with even half an hour of rain with large wet patches of standing water in several places, which severely interrupted the flow of the game.
Once soaked, the pitch also takes an inordinately long time to dry out even when the rain stops.
Last month large pipes were laid along two sides of the perimeter of the pitch in order to improve the drainage of rainwater into the nearby Wahumkhrah River.
Drainage at the ground has been an issue ever since the new artificial turf was laid in 2023. The pitch and the drainage has been funded through the Meghalaya government.
(TSR photo)