KOCHI: The controversy over the clash of dates of matches involving Kerala Strikers, the representatives of the state in the Celebrity Cricket League, and Chirag United Kerala, the lone Kerala team in the Indian Football League (I League), is expected to be solved on Wednesday. Though a meeting convened by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) on Tuesday failed to reach a consensus on which team will play at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium on January 22, it authorised the GCDA executive committee to find a solution. Meanwhile, Lissy Priyadarshan, co-owner of Kerala Strikers, said she was confident of her team’s chances. “We believe that Kerala Football Association (KFA) will give up their adamant stand on the issue. We had discussions with them and they are willing to change their match schedule. Only formalities remain,” she said. But KFA President K M I mather denied it. “We are still sticking to our schedule. All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not demanded a change in the date,” Mather said adding that the AIFF meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday did not discuss the issue. On Wednesday, the I League authorities will hold a meeting in New Delhi, and it is believed that the AIFF might take a decision in favour of Kerala Strikers. “A change in Chirag United Kerala’s match schedule is expected. The final decision will be announced only after the meeting of the I League representatives on Wednesday,” an I League official told Express seeking anonymity.“We know that the stadium is meant for serious sports events. But we are setting aside 25 per cent of the profit from the match for charity. We are requesting priority on these grounds,” Lissy said.
Comments
0 comment