As Gokulam Kerala FC continues to use the Kozhikode Corporation’s EMS Stadium as its home ground, the civic body is drawing flak for its inability to protect its asset despite the FC’s alleged violation of the contract.
The Kozhikode Corporation council had decided on May 28, 2023 not to renew the contract with Sree Gokulam Football Club, which had been using the Stadium as its homeground since 2018. The Corporation council made a unanimous decision to end the contract after it was noted that the Club had not been able to maintain the stadium in good condition as agreed in the contract. The Corporation had also invited an expression of interest from agencies for future maintenance of the stadium. However, it has not been able to take back its asset from the FC so far while the latter continues to use it as a home ground in the new season of I-League that started recently.
Under the contract, the FC was to pay the Corporation an annual user fee of ₹3.40 lakh and was bound to maintain the grass bed, gallery, seating, and flood light in the stadium at its own expense. The contract has been extended every year since 2018 and was valid till August 2023.
