20/05/2025
Due to safety concerns, the Kochi Kaloor Stadium, which gave us many memorable moments, has been lost forever. After inviting the Argentina team and Messi to Kerala, we’re now in a situation where there’s no stadium for them to play in. It’s now confirmed that Kerala Blasters can no longer play at Kaloor either. Will the Thiruvananthapuram Greenfield Stadium become the new venue for them?The BCCI has already expressed its opposition, as preparations for the Women’s World Cup cricket are underway at Greenfield.
What we need first is a FIFA-standard, world-class football stadium, isn’t it? Unless the Sports Minister and the government take the initiative, inviting a team like Argentina, which has played in world-class stadiums, to a cricket stadium here would be an embarrassment for us. If, due to pressure, Argentina’s match is held at the unsafe Kaloor Stadium, it could attract an unprecedented crowd to see Messi & Argentina match, potentially leading to a major disaster. The stadium already has cracks and instability in various parts of the galleries. How can an international match be held in a stadium that hasn’t passed a safety audit and poses such a security threat?
The KCA has identified 30 acres of land near Nedumbassery for a new cricket stadium. In the second phase, they’re planning a multi-purpose indoor-outdoor Kochi Sports City. The Kerala Football Association, the government, and private stakeholders like Kerala Blasters must come forward to bring a world-class football stadium to this project. The BCCI is investing 450 crores in the cricket stadium; a similar investment could bring an international-standard football stadium to the Kochi Sports City. Only then should we invite Argentina and Messi.
Shouldn’t we first set the table properly before serving the feast?
Kochi Next Kochi Konnect Kerala Blasters Manjappada Kerala Blasters Fans Kerala Cricket Association Kerala Football Hibi Eden V Abdurahiman P Rajeev Kerala Football Association
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