City leagues light up football scenario

July 3, 2008 (Football): Simultaneous announcement by Orissa Football Association and Bhubaneswar Athletic Association for the conduct of the city leagues later this month has providing a bit of illumination to the murky scenario of football in Orissa. According to BAA football secretary Debanand Mohanty, the Bhubaneswar League will begin from the last week of July. ````The schedule and other details will be worked out in a meeting to be held on Sunday,```` he said. But with OFA secretary M A Alam announcing identical date for the commencement of the Cuttack League, the possibility of a clash between the two leagues has created confusion. Alam, however, dispelled the doubt that Cuttack League, one of the oldest and longest event in the football calendar of the State, might not see the day-light this year. ````We had a problem with the venue as the Barabati Stadium is now being renovated. But in the meantime, we have arranged several alternative venues, including Reserve Police ground, Bidanasi ground and Ravenshaw College ground to start the league by the end of July,```` the OFA secretary stated. ````We will complete the league by September and the champion team will be eligible to represent Orissa in the Federation Cup. The top two sides of the league will also get direct entry in the Kalinga Cup All-India Tournament,```` he added.