‘GCDA planning sports complex in Kochi’

Kochi: The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) said that it is planning to establish a mega sports complex in Kochi, and talks are already under way with several investors. The ambitious plan was revealed by GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai, who was speaking at a felicitation function of Santosh Trophy-winning Kerala team on Wednesday.
“We know that infrastructure for sports is minimal in Kochi.So, we are planning to create a mega project which will have facilities for all sports, but the focus will be on football. GCDA should not be just about maintaining stadiums. We want to help youngsters pick up sports too,” said the GCDA chairman.
“We are planning to create a playground each in 21 panchayats and nine municipalities,” he said.
Talking about the roof of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor which the body is reportedly planning to dismantle due to safety concerns, Pillai said GCDA will employ a new group to look into the existing structure in more detail.
“The initial report said that the roof was unsafe. But we will now have a more detailed look into the matter with more experts in the panel and see whether a partial rectification will help. In case it needs a complete rectification, we have been told matches can go ahead even without a roof. We will consult all the stakeholders before taking a decision,” Pillai said.
Industries minister P Rajeeve, opposition leader V D Satheesan, MPs Hibi Eden and Jebi Mather, MLAs P V Sreenijin and Anwar Sadath and Kochi mayor M Anil Kumar were among those who were present during the reception organized by Kerala Football Association (KFA). Kerala had defeated Bengal 1-1 (5-4) on penalties to win their seventh Santosh Trophy title at Manjeri on Monday.
Satheesan hailed the football team for bringing together the whole of Kerala. “Football is the most loved sport in the world and the emotion it creates is different. That is why you managed to unite all the people of Kerala — something we politicians try doing, but fail most times,” said the opposition leader.
Kerala captain Jijo Joseph, members of the winning team, head coach Bino George and his coaching staff, KFA president Tom Jose, general secretary P Anilkumar and All India Football Federation vice-president KMI Mather were also present.