National coach denied entry to Kochi stadium over payment dispute

Kochi: The Indian mens football team faced fresh embarrassment on Thursday, this time even before they could take the field. National head coach Khalid Jamil and the team were denied entry to Kochis Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, the venue for Indias Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on March 31. Jamil had reached the stadium to inspect the pitch and attend a scheduled press conference, but officials of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) refused him entry.

GCDA security staff also stopped the Indian team from training at the stadium. The team had to later train at Kerala Blasters training ground in Trippunithura, 10 kilometres away from the stadium.

Kerala players Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad and Bijoy Varghese were also expected to join their head coach for the media interaction at JNI, but returned to their hotel after learning of the situation while on their way to the stadium.

GCDA staff said they were acting on instructions from the secretary and chairman not to allow anyone into the stadium complex until the full rent and security deposit was paid by the Kerala Football Association (KFA), the host association for Indias Asian Cup Qualifier with Hong Kong here on Mar 31.

KFA president Navas Meeran said the issue was only technical and would be resolved soon. The Asian Cup qualifier will go ahead as planned. What happened on Thursday was a minor technical problem, and it will be sorted out soon, he said.

The GCDA is seeking a security deposit of Rs 25 lakh and a match rent of Rs 3 lakh. The KFA agreed to make the payment, but the GCDA demanded the full amount and completion of all procedures on Thursday itself, before allowing the scheduled press conference and practice session to proceed. Although the KFA asked for more time, the GCDA refused.

Meanwhile, coach Jamil arrived at the stadium for the press conference and ground inspection, but after waiting for a long time at the KFA office amid the dispute, he was left with no option but to leave when the GCDA failed to cooperate. Security personnel also stopped journalists from entering for the press conference, saying they had orders from higher authorities not to allow anyone in. The main gate was later locked.

GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai was unavailable for comment. Notably, the GCDA had taken the initiative to host the national teams match in Kochi to ease the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi-led Argentina teams visit to the state.

This is not the first time the GCDA has acted in a heavy-handed manner. In late February, GCDA similarly forced Blasters out of the venue. At the time, the GCDA closed the venue entrance on the eve of the ISL match against Mumbai City. Even officials from the All India Football Federation had been denied entry.

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