The lapse exposes major procedural failures within the Sports Department, GCDA, and the state administration.
Published Oct 28, 2025 | 2:51 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2025 | 2:51 PM
Kochi JLN Stadium. (Creative commons)
Synopsis: A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had approved a tripartite agreement between GCDA, SKF, and the sponsor, but it was never executed. The file has reportedly not reached the Law department, leaving the entire process legally untenable. Officials warn that if the sponsor halts work midway, the government and GCDA will have no legal recourse.
Serious procedural lapses have surfaced in the renovation of Kochi JLN Stadium, undertaken in connection with the proposed international football friendly between World Cup champions Argentina and a host team.
According to a GCDA press release, the Kerala government had authorised Reporter Broadcasting Company ltd to organise the event, with Sports Kerala Foundation (SKF) serving as the special purpose vehicle. GCDA handed over the stadium to SKF for renovation from 26 September to 30 November, 2025, as part of the preparations.
However, despite this arrangement, the stadium was reportedly handed over to private sponsor Anto Augustine for large-scale renovation, without any formal contract.
Works worth several crores, including turf reconstruction, seating replacement, and floodlight removal, have been carried out in the absence of a binding agreement.
A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had approved a tripartite agreement between GCDA, SKF, and the sponsor, but it was never executed. The file has reportedly not reached the Law department, leaving the entire process legally untenable.
Officials warn that if the sponsor halts work midway, the government and GCDA will have no legal recourse.
The lapse exposes major procedural failures within the Sports Department, GCDA, and the state administration.
While renovation continues and ISL matches are expected in December, the much-anticipated Argentina friendly — originally planned for mid-November has been postponed pending FIFA certification.
The Reporter Broadcast Corporation, the official sponsor of the match, confirmed on social media that the Argentine football team will not be visiting Kerala in November as earlier announced.
According to the company, discussions with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) led to an agreement to postpone the match scheduled in the November international window due to delays in obtaining FIFA approval.
The organizers, however, assured fans that the match will be held in Kerala during the next international window, with a formal announcement expected soon.
Anto Augustine of Reporter Broadcasting Company stated in his post: “An agreement was reached in discussions with AFA to postpone the game in the November window considering the delay in getting FIFA approval. The match will be played in Kerala in the next window. Announcement soon.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
