And the much awaited football stadium at Cooperage is now, on the records.While talking to The Indian Express Wali Mohammed, secretary, Western India Football (WIFA) informed a stadium at the Cooperage will be constructed within the next two years.

Eight months back, a detailed proposal for the raising a stadium was sent by the association to the former chief minister Manohar Joshi.

Reacting on the request, Joshi visited the site (Cooperage) on September 29 and had a meeting with WIFA officials. The Chief Minister was satisfied with the site and assured them to get their plans sanctioned by his government.

Two weeks before, State chief minister Narayan Rane also visited Cooperage again before thecommencement of the second division National Football League.

``He had a good idea about the proposal as he was the Revenue Minister when WIFA submitted the plan,'' added Wali.

The plan sent to Maharashtra Government by WIFA included a proposal of a stadium of more than 25,000 capacity, a club house, squash courts, gymnasium and a card room.

``The estimated cost for the construction of a double-storeyed building and an under ground car parking will come to about Rs 85 crores,'' informed Wali.

Joshi and Rane's visits are considered quite important by the Association. ``No state chief minister had ever visited the Cooperage for such a purpose in the past,'' informed Wali. Another reason sighted by WIFA secretary is that the proposals sent earlier by Association might not be complete and comprehensive.

He further added: ``The objections taken taken earlier by the residents staying in the surrounding areas citing traffic problems has been taken care off, as we have planned an underground parking lot.''It is known that the proposal has been rejected thrice earlier due to the objection taken by resident societies.

The stadium is expected to be complete before the end of year 2000.

``The permission from the State Government should be in by the end of this year and we will start the work thereafter,'' informed Wali.

Although the WIFA secretary is quite optimistic about getting a grant from the State Government there are also plans to collect some money through the donors and by floating memberships in the locality.

According to Wali, the stadium will also include a new WIFA office, dormitory for players and residential facilities for the outstation players.

``As soon as we get a nod from Government, we will start our immediately,'' added Wali.

The stadium will also include a new WIFA office, dromedary for players and residential facilities for outstation players.