Minister's argument falls apart; Govt spent Rs 13 lakh to invite Messi, details emerge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government spent lakhs for Sports Minister V Abdurahman's trip to Spain to invite football legend Lionel Messi to play in Kerala. The Right to Information (RTI) document said the government spent around Rs 13 lakh for the trip. The minister visited Spain in September 2024.

The sports department secretary and the director of sports and youth affairs had accompanied the minister to Spain. The minister's argument that the government had not spend a single rupee for it is falling apart. The minister had confirmed the other day that Messi will not visit Kerala this year.

All efforts were made to bring Messi and the Argentina team to Kerala this October. However, the minister confirmed that the Argentina Football Association had informed that they would not be able to come to Kerala in October. It became certain that the legendary star would not come after sponsors also said that the team could be brought only in October. The minister said the Argentina football team and the sponsors are taking different stands.

Meantime, the amount spent so far to bring the Argentina team including Messi to Kerala is Rs 130 crore and if the team does not come despite receiving the money, it is a fraud, said Anto Augustin, MD of Reporter TV Broadcasting Corporation, the main sponsor. The Argentina team has not officially informed about it. Anto while addressing the media said that legal action will be taken if the team does not come despite having a contract.