Kerala sports minister reiterates confidence about Argentina football team's visit
Thiruvananthapuram, May 17 (PTI): Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday rejected media reports about the "backtracking" of the Argentina national football team from visiting the state and asserted that the Lionel Messi-led team would play a friendly match here in October this year.
The top-notch soccer team would reach the state as announced by the government with the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, paying the sponsorship amount as per its contract with the Argentina Football Association (AFA), he said.
Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, also said all things mandated by the AFA in the contract have been fulfilled and it is expected that an announcement about the date of the match would be made soon.
The sports minister and the sponsors came up with the response at a time when a section of the media reported that the Argentina team had cancelled its visit to Kerala as the latter breached the contract norms.
Abdurahiman admitted that some delay had happened in the remittance of the amount by the sponsors.
"The sponsors have to get one more clearance from the Reserve Bank of India for sending the amount and now they have received it. So, the sponsors will remit the amount next week. There will be a clarity about everything by next week," he told reporters here.
He also said he contacted the AFA officials in the wake of media reports and they said there was no issue if the sponsors pay the amount as per the agreement.
The minister said there is no confusion over the stadium where the Argentina team would play if they visit the state as per the agreement.
Stating that the Messi-led team arrives here not for a FIFA match but for a friendly match, he said the Kaloor stadium in Kochi and the Greenfield stadium here are under the consideration of the government.
"As we expect, as the sponsors says, the Argentina team will play a match in Kerala in October...There is no confusion in it as of now," the minister added.
While talking to reporters in Kozhikode, Augustine also said the foreign team would definitely come if the government does whatever they have to do and the sponsors fulfill their responsibilities.
"I don't agree with the narrative that the Argentina team would not come to Kerala. That is propagated with vested interests," he added.
Earlier in the day, the sports minister made it clear that it is the responsibility of sponsors and not that of the government to bring the top-notch soccer team to the state.
Speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of an event, the minister said it was the Kochi-based Reporter Broadcasting Company that had entered into an agreement with the Argentina team, and the contract still exists.
Sponsors assured that they would soon settle the payment-related matters in this regard without further delay, he said.
"So, as of now, we cannot say that Messi and the Argentina team will not come to Kerala. Though there was some delay in some aspects, there is no confusion at present," he said.
The sports minister further said the government has to depend upon sponsors in this regard, as it cannot meet the huge expense of bringing a top-notch team like Argentina.
He said the government had zeroed in on two sponsors, including the Reporter Broadcasting Company and submitted their details to the Reserve Bank of India for getting necessary clearances.
"But, the first sponsor could not meet the RBI's eligibility criteria. So, as per the request of the Reporter, we gave the sponsorship to them and they received necessary clearances from the RBI to go ahead," Abdurahiman said.
So, the responsibility of bringing the Argentina team rests with the sponsors.
The duty of the government is to get necessary clearances in this regard and ensure the security of the foreign team when they arrive in the state, he said, adding that they would do the same.
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
