India, Aug. 22 -- The fight to save the last remaining speck of space left in what was once a thriving expanse of grounds is almost emblematic of the gradual erosion of football in the city.

On life support for some time now, Mumbai football could stare at the beginning of an end from its gloried past, if plans by the BMC to convert the Neville D'Souza football ground at Bandra Reclamation into a convention centre take shape. The Mumbai Football Association (MFA), headed by Aaditya Thackeray, is clinging on to legal recourse while the Mumbai football community -- comprising players, stakeholders and administrators -- to a hope and a prayer.

"It's extremely sad," Steven Dias, the city-based former India footballer, said. "I have nothing ...