The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium appears to have met the May 15 deadline fixed by the FIFA team and Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel for completing various works in connection with the under-17 football World Cup which will be held here in October.
“The chair-installation work, fire-fighting arrangements, air-conditioning and all electrical work are almost complete,” said A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, the State government’s nodal officer for the World Cup.
Though the FIFA team and the Union Sports Minister had expressed their worry over the many unfinished works at the stadium, Mr. Hanish said Kochi was not in danger of losing the World Cup. “They have decided that Kochi will be the venue for the World Cup,” he said.
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But the installation of floodlights at the four training venues will be over only by May 31 as per the extended deadline given for these works.
State Sports Minister A.C. Moideen was scheduled to visit the stadium on Monday, but his visit was cancelled. “The Minister is likely to visit the stadium on May 30,” said P. Anilkumar, Secretary of Kerala Football Association.