Sometimes the more things change, the more they remain the same. At a time when the Indian Super League (ISL) brings with it the promise of improved conditions for football at the grassroot level, tournaments like the Mumbai University's inter-college competition provide a harsh reality check.


Pitch imperfect: The quarter-final match between St Andrew's and KC College yesterday. The semi-finals and final will also be played on this dust bowl. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi 

Yesterday, the quarter-finals of the varsity tournament were held at Goregaon's Anna Bhau Sathe ground, which can only be described as a dustbowl of a pitch.