Sponsors, not govt responsible for bringing Messi to Kerala: Sports Minister V Abdurahiman

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said on Saturday that the sponsors, not the state government, are responsible for facilitating the Argentina national team's visit to the state.

"The government will make every arrangement for the team if they visit Kerala. I can't say anything more at this point," the minister told Onmanorama when asked about reports suggesting that the Argentina team, led by Lionel Messi, may not be visiting the state due to a breach of contract by the sponsors.

The minister said that the Reporter Broadcasting Company had entered into an agreement with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) to bring the defending World Cup champions to Kerala.

The latest clarification, however, is far from his earlier stance when he claimed that the Kerala government had agreed with AFA regarding the Messi-led team playing at least two friendly matches in Kerala. Earlier this year, he also claimed that Messi and the team would spend a week in Kerala between October and November.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Abdurahiman said the sponsors have assured that they will soon settle the pending payment with AFA. "So, as of now, we cannot confirm that Messi and the Argentina team will not come to Kerala. Though there were some delays in some aspects, there is no confusion at present," he added.

Abdurahiman said that due to the state’s ongoing financial constraints, it was not feasible for the government to bear the expenses of bringing the team. He also explained that the government had identified two sponsors, including the Reporter Broadcasting Company, and submitted their details to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for approval.

"The RBI rejected the first sponsor as they did not meet the required criteria. Subsequently, Reporter Broadcasting Company agreed to be the sponsor and received the necessary clearances from both the RBI and the Central Ministry of Sports," he said.

"The responsibility of bringing the Argentina team rests entirely with the sponsors, not the government," the minister reiterated.