Thiruvananthapuram, May 17
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman reaffirmed on Saturday that the much-anticipated visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Kerala is still on track, despite recent media reports suggesting the event may be cancelled due to contractual breaches by sponsors.Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, the minister clarified that the sponsors, not the state government, are solely responsible for facilitating the visit of the world-class football team.
Contract Remains Valid, Sponsors Assure Payment
Addressing concerns raised in some media outlets that the Argentina team had withdrawn due to a sponsorship contract breach, Abdurahiman stated that Kochi-based Reporter Broadcasting Company, which had signed an agreement with the team, still holds a valid contract."The sponsors have assured us that all payment-related issues will be resolved soon. So, at this point, we cannot say that Messi and the Argentina team will not come to Kerala. Though there was some delay, there is no confusion now," the minister said.
Government's Role Limited to Clearances and Security
Emphasizing the financial implications of hosting such a high-profile team, the minister made it clear that the state government depends on private sponsors, as it cannot bear the significant expenses alone.He revealed that initially, two sponsors were shortlisted, and their details were submitted to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for necessary approvals. The first sponsor failed to meet RBI eligibility norms, which led to Reporter Broadcasting Company being selected after receiving the requisite clearances.
"Our role is to get the needed clearances and provide security for the visiting team. The actual responsibility of bringing the Argentina team rests with the sponsors," Abdurahiman explained.
No Change in Sponsorship, Optimism Prevails
The minister expressed confidence in the current sponsors, stating there is no immediate need to replace them and that the government continues to support their efforts.He added, "The sponsors have promised to remit the necessary funds at the earliest. So, I still believe that Messi and his team will come to Kerala. There is no reason to think negatively at this moment."
Aiming to Popularize Football in Kerala
Abdurahiman had earlier announced that the Argentina national team, led by Lionel Messi, would play an international match in Kerala under the full supervision of the state government. He also confirmed that both the Central Government and the RBI have granted the necessary permissions for the event.Reiterating the government's commitment, he concluded, "Our goal is to boost the popularity of football in the state, and we are doing everything necessary to make that happen."