Yuba Bharati gets a major facelift as Kolkata prepares to host Brazil and Uruguay in two blockbuster international fixtures.
Kolkata, September 26: India’s 1–1 draw against Panama at Kanteerava last night brought one international night to a close. But the bigger stage is now waiting in Kolkata.
The next stop is the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, and the opponents could hardly be bigger. Brazil will walk out at the Salt Lake stadium on October 3, followed by Uruguay on October 6. While Indian football prepares for two of its biggest fixtures in recent years, the stadium itself is also going through a transformation.
The familiar stands of Yuba Bharati are getting a fresh coat of paint, with seats being renovated and re-numbered. Several parts of the stadium are being worked on at the same time, including the gallery areas and spectator facilities. The idea is not just to make the venue look different, but also to make it ready for the kind of crowd these two games are expected to bring.
Outside the stands, the work is equally visible. New entry gates are coming up, while some of the existing gates are being widened. Restrooms and other public facilities are being renovated, and new fencing is being put up around the practice grounds.
Then comes the most important part — the pitch.
Kolkata has already seen heavy rain and a packed football schedule, leaving the ground staff with plenty on their duties. The main pitch and training grounds are now being worked on as the final preparations continue ahead of the arrival of Brazil and Uruguay.
Brazil’s visit has also brought officials from the Brazilian Football Confederation to Kolkata. A CBF delegation had inspected the city’s arrangements earlier, while representatives are staying on to oversee the final preparations. The Brazilian contingent is expected to be around 90 members, including the players, coaching staff, medical team, support staff and officials.
And For the Mecca of Indian Football, this is not just another international window. Brazil and Uruguay arriving at the same arena within three days has already made the coming week a major football occasion for the city.
India have finished their Panama test. Now, from Kanteerava to Yuba Bharati, the challenge gets much bigger.
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