Harwood League: Mumbai’s Historic Football Tournament Makes a Comeback

*Resurgence After a Hiatus*

Mumbai's oldest football tournament, the Harwood League, is making a much-anticipated return after a prolonged hiatus due to the lack of suitable playing fields. Established in 1902, the league has faced significant challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left its primary venue, the St. Xavier's ground in Parel, in disrepair.

*The Impact of the Pandemic*

Udayan Banerjee, a trustee of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA), explained that the St. Xavier's ground, which has been under the MFA's care since 1983, was transformed into a testing and vaccination center during the pandemic. Following this, extensive construction for stormwater drainage left the field uneven, with collapsed boundary walls and damaged goalposts. The ground has become a hotspot for debris and public disturbances, rendering it unfit for football.

Despite the BMC’s request for repairs, Banerjee argues that the MFA should not bear the cost of restoration—estimated at ₹25 lakh—since they did not cause the damage.

*Struggles for a Venue*

With St. Xavier's out of commission, the MFA has been utilizing other fields, such as the Neville D'Souza ground in Bandra and the RCF ground in Chembur. However, finding a suitable and affordable venue for the Harwood League proved challenging, with the Cooperage Grounds in Nariman Point being deemed too costly.

Sponsorship for local games has been scarce, as Banerjee noted that poor publicity has limited attendance and, consequently, attracted few sponsors.

*A New Hope: Nadim Memon Steps In

The fortunes of the Harwood League changed when Nadim Memon, a former football player and sports ground consultant, learned about its plight. Committed to revitalizing the league, Memon decided to sponsor the tournament this season. He successfully negotiated a reduction in venue costs, lowering the rent from ₹3 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh for the 15-day tournament.

Memon emphasized his desire to give back to the sport that shaped his early career. "Football gave me my first job," he stated, highlighting his motivation to support the league.

*A Rich History and Exciting Future*

The Harwood League has a storied history, having seen its earliest games organized by Colonel J.G. Harwood, who also founded the Western India Football Association (WIFA). Initially dominated by British army teams, Indian teams have since taken the lead in securing titles. The league faced interruptions but has been a mainstay of Mumbai’s football culture.

As of September 21, the latest season kicked off, featuring eight teams, including corporate representatives like the Bank of Baroda and teams associated with government entities such as Mumbai Customs. While participation from corporate teams is declining, the league is determined to sustain its legacy.

Banerjee remains optimistic about the league's future, hoping that the BMC will restore the St. Xavier's ground soon. An official from the BMC confirmed that plans for restoration are underway post-monsoon.

As the Harwood League re-establishes itself, it stands as a testament to Mumbai's rich football heritage and the resilience of its community.