Kochi: A meeting of the executive committee of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has decided to direct the sponsor renovating the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi to complete the works by November 30 and hand over the facility back to the Authority, which is its owner.

The executive also entrusted the GCDA secretary with the task of ensuring the timely completion of the developmental activities. In another directive, the executive sought details on the work carried out to date and the activities planned for the coming days.

GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai said at the meeting that the sponsor had promised to complete the stadium renovation by the November 30 deadline.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties alleged malpractices in stadium development and demanded an investigation. Protests were organised by Youth Congress and Yuva Morcha activists at the GCDA office on Wednesday.  The police arrested and removed Youth Congress members who staged an unusual protest – they barged into the room when the GCDA executive committee meeting was being held and played football. Led by Youth Congress Ernakulam district president Sijo Joseph, the protesters wore the jersey of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi. However, instead of Messi’s photo, the cutouts carried by the protestors displayed the picture of ‘Pachakkulam Vasu’, a fictional character in the classic Mammootty movie ‘Kottayam Kunjachan.’

Vice-president of the KPCC (Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden said no contract had been signed for the ongoing work at the stadium. “Only a meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister, was convened in this regard,” he said.

At the same time, leaders of the ruling party, the CPM, alleged that Congress workers had damaged the turf at the Kaloor stadium to prevent Messi from playing a match there. The Sports Minister of the state and the sponsor had earlier announced that the stadium would be hosting a game by the international footballer on November 17.