MLA blocks selection trials of Kerala Blasters, locks gate; minister intervenes and opens

KOCHI: The Kunnathunad MLA P V Srinijin blocked the selection trials of Kerala Blasters. The MLA, who is also the president of Ernakulam District Sports Council, closed the gate of the school in Panampally Nagar where the under-17 selection trial was taking place.

More than 100 children were waiting since early morning. Sports Minister V Abdurrahiman intervened and opened the gate when parents and others protested. The explanation given by the MLA was Blasters did not inform them about conducting the trials and also rent to the Sports Council was not paid.

‘The security informed that many children were standing in front of the gate. Neither Blasters nor its people had given a single letter. Many children come here for practice. The confusion is that it is a stadium coming under the district sports council and will be opened only for programmes only if informed earlier. The management of Kerala Blasters had not paid the rent for the last eight months. There is a rent arrears of around Rs 8 lakhs. After talking to them many times, they kept on saying would pay later,' the MLA clarified.

Meantime, state sports council president Sharaf Ali rejected the MLA’s claim. He responded that the Kerala Blasters had paid the rent till last month to the Sports Council and there are no arrears.