In 1996–97, in an effort to have the National Games of India hosted in Bengaluru the high court ordered the slum area of the stadium cleared, which thus happened. On 5 December 2004, the stadium was the site of the death of Brazilian footballer Cristiano Júnior during a Federation Cup match between his Dempo and Mohun Bagan. He collided with the Bagan and India international goalkeeper Subrata Pal while scoring his second goal for Dempo before collapsing to the ground. He was announced dead on arrival at the hospital.