Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Saturday reiterated that the Argentina football team, along with captain Lionel Messi, will arrive in Kerala in November to play a football match.
Incidentally, last week the Congress top leadership, including its state party president Sunny Joseph, took pot shots, asking Abdurahiman to come clean and said after raising high hopes over the news of Messi.
However, in reply to it on Saturday, the Minister clarified that Messi’s travel plans to other Indian states are part of a personal tour, not officially connected with the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
“So far, the Argentina team has not said they will skip Kerala. On the contrary, the government has been informed of their arrival in November. Necessary security arrangements have already been requested for the team,” said the Minister.
Abdurahiman also dismissed doubts that arose after the initial sponsor pulled out.
“The AFA has assured that the visit in November will take place with the new sponsor. My visit to Spain was not just to meet AFA officials, but also to discuss the new stadium project in Thiruvananthapuram with Spain’s Sports Council,” he added. IANS
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