We wrongly mentioned India Vs Columbia in the previous headline. The error is regreted. KOCHI: The
FIFA U-17 World Cup
2017 match in Kochi has left many fans disappointed as they complained of many shortcomings at the venue. While some said that they witnessed world class football for the first time in the country, others felt the arrangements were inadequate.
Although an average of 51000 people attended the home matches of Kerala Blasters in ISL, FIFA had limited the headcount in the gallery to 41700 as per FIFA norms. It further downed it to 29000. Fearing the shortage of seats, many ticket holders didn't turn up and the number of people appeared was around 21000.
What made the matter worse was FIFA’s strict regulations coupled with the mismanagement of local authorities resulting in
low attendance
for the first-ever FIFA U17 match in Kochi.
The tickets were sold out on the day before the match.
The spectators also complained that FIFA volunteers failed to identify the seat locations from the tickets and they had to run around the stadium ring road to find the correct gate.
Many who turned up also complained about high prices at which foods and beverages were sold. By the second half of the first match, the shortage of water was reported by catering staff. Though the spectators were ready to buy water at higher prices, the sellers had no stock. Then they arranged more water which was sold at Rs. 10 per glass.
Kamalesh Thekkekad, a journalist from Kasargod district in Northern Kerala said he couldn't see the football spirit he saw in ISL during FIFA matches. Empty stands were a boring scene, he said. Kamalesh left the stadium before the second match started.
Another spectator, Harilal from Kottayam district, opined that strict regulations were indeed necessary and this is the first time he saw world class football match in the subcontinent. “Apart from the overpriced drinking water, there were no much issues. Those who attended the match were true football lovers,’’ Harilal added."
Meanwhile FIFA has announced that they will not charge for drinking water from next match.
Please read this story in Malayalam. സമയം മലയാളം വാർത്താ പോർട്ടലിൽ ഡിജിറ്റൽ കണ്ടൻ്റ് പ്രൊഡ്യൂസറാണ് ആൽബ...
Read Moreസമയം മലയാളം വാർത്താ പോർട്ടലിൽ ഡിജിറ്റൽ കണ്ടൻ്റ് പ്രൊഡ്യൂസറാണ് ആൽബിൻ കുര്യൻ. ആറു വർഷമായി സമയം മലയാളം വാർത്താവിഭാഗത്തിൻ്റെ ഭാഗമായ ആൽബിൻ രാഷ്ട്രീയ, സാമൂഹ്യവിഷയങ്ങളിലും മറ്റു പൊതുവിഷയങ്ങളിലും ലേഖനങ്ങൾ എഴുതുന്നു. കേരള പ്രസ് അക്കാദമിയിൽ നിന്ന് ജേണലിസം ബിരുദാന്തര ഡിപ്ലോമ നേടി. പത്ത് വർഷമായി മാധ്യമരംഗത്ത് പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്ന ആൽബിൻ മുൻപ് പബ്ലിക് റിലേഷൻസ് മേഖലയിലും പ്രവർത്തിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
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