Groundsmen strike work at Cooperage

MUMBAI, JULY 13: The groundsmen of Western India Football Association struck work, refusing to mark out the lines prior to the two Gulf Oil Super Division matches. The two matches 8212; Bank of India against Union Bank and Central Railway against RCF 8212; were not held.

The WIFA has been facing financial problems as reported in The Indian Express last week. Lal Bahadur, the spokesman for the groundsmen, said the idea to strike work was to bring into focus the plight of groundsmen who have not been paid for the last three months. 8220;Though they have struck work today, tomorrow8217;s matches will be held as per schedule,8221; said Bahadur.

Praful Patel, the president of WIFA, chose to underplay the whole incident. 8220;I do not think it is such a big issue. I was not aware that they have not been paid. This matter will be sorted out quickly,8221; said Patel.