Match also for starving people; Minister’s statement led to low turnout of viewers, says Pannyan Raveendran

KOZHIKODE: CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran said the approach of wiping out the situation where best sporting events come to Kerala, is not good. He clarified his stand in an interview given to a media after Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s controversial statement and the low turnout of viewers for the one-day in Karyavattom.

Pannyan Ravindran said the match is also for starving people. Some will watch the match even if they starve. Addiction to sports is in the veins of a human being. He also responded that he feels that the minister's remark that starving people need not watch cricket led to the low turnout of spectators.

The tax which was 5% was increased to 12%. The tax was made 5% to bring more matches to Kerala. About 40,000 people had bought tickets the last time. This time only 6000 were there, he said.

Meantime, opposition leader V D Satheesan responded that what we saw in Karyavattom is a setback to the minister's arrogance. He demanded an apology from the minister for insulting the starving people.