With only hours left for the kick-off of the much awaited FIFA Under-17 World Cup at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, a normal routine associated with all high profile sporting events hosted by the city in the past has gathered momentum.
Enquiries are flying thick and fast about complimentary passes for matches. Only this time, there will be no such thing. A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, the government’s nodal officer for the event, has announced in no uncertain terms that there will be no complimentary passes for the global event and urged people to utilise the online facility and ticket counters to get hold of tickets.
CM visit
Finishing touches are being given to the preparations at the stadium ahead of the kick-off. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday night visited the stadium to take stock of the arrangements. He was received by Hibi Eden, MLA, Mr. Hanish and City Police Commissioner M.P. Dinesh around 7 p.m. Before leaving, Mr. Vijayan also watched the practice session of Spaniards that was under way in the stadium.
Metro operations
With the city being in the grip of football fever, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has decided to jump on the football bandwagon by making special arrangements for the seamless movement of fans. Accordingly, the last train from Maharaja’s College Ground station will be operated at 11.45 p.m. instead of the usual schedule of 10 p.m. on match days on October 7, 10, 13, and 18. The last train from Aluva will depart at 11 p.m.
Besides, KMRL also plans to operate additional services from 9 p.m. on match days. As a special arrangement to regulate passenger movement at the stadium station, entry will be restricted through entry A and exit through exit B from 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold only though special counters placed outside the station. Passengers bound for the stadium station are being encouraged to buy return tickets as well for their convenience.
Brazil vs India
The students of Kerala Blasters Football School simulated a match between Brazil and India by splitting themselves into two national teams in their respective jerseys even as Rui Santos Rocha Camargo, Sports and Cultural Section in-charge at the Embassy of Brazil, watched on.
After the match Mr. Camargo interacted with the students and told them how Brazil was supporting children at grass-roots level to promote football in their country.
He said the international tournament was a great opportunity to promote football in India and hailed the passion for the game in the country.
“India has a great potential to become one of the best countries in the game of football and these grass-roots level initiatives will help in identifying talented kids who can be trained and nurtured to become players of international stature,” said Mr. Camargo.
Brazil remains a formidable force in the under-17 age group, having won the FIFA U-17 World Cup three times and missed the finals only once. Brazil went unbeaten in lifting this year’s South American Under-17 title.
