Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi
Kochi, Jan 13: The Indian Super League (ISL) match between Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC on Monday will take place as scheduled, despite damage to the pitch at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor.
The field was found to be severely scuffed after a mass Bharatanatyam event held on January 29, according to an official statement from the club on Saturday. The damage includes extensive footprints, patches of damaged turf, and undulations, affecting the evenness of the ground and the drainage system, which was compromised by the movement of caravans during the event.
Rectification work is expected to cost around Rs 16 lac, and the turf is likely to be restored to its original condition only by February. However, two upcoming Blasters home matches—against Odisha FC on January 13 and Northeast United on January 18—will proceed as planned.
The club has notified the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) about the damage and requested that the event organisers bear the cost of the repairs due to their negligence. The stadium, home to Kerala Blasters since 2014, was rented out for the event with an NOC clearance stating that there would be no impact on the field of play.
Non-sporting events have previously been linked to injuries on the pitch, with damage to the turf being a major concern for player safety.