Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting to finalise preparations for the upcoming football match featuring the Lionel Messi-led Argentina national team, scheduled in November at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.
The Chief Minister directed that all arrangements be completed on a war footing and that the stadium be upgraded to world-class standards ahead of the event. Maintenance and repair work at the venue will be expedited to ensure it meets international specifications.
The meeting also focused on security measures to manage the expected large turnout, and discussed the possibility of a fan meet with the visiting team. Vijayan instructed officials to ensure smooth arrangements for parking, medical and emergency facilities, drinking water, power supply, and waste management.
Highlighting the scale of the event, Vijayan stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination. An IAS officer will be appointed as nodal officer to oversee all match-related activities, while a state-level committee under the Chief Secretary will monitor preparations. District Collectors will coordinate at the local level.
“Kerala is proud to host a global football powerhouse like Argentina. This event will showcase the state’s passion for football and its capacity to organise major international sporting events,” Vijayan said.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall, was attended by Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman, Industries Minister P. Rajeev, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak, State Police Chief R. Chandrasekhar, and senior officials from departments involved in the planning and execution of the event.
IANS