KOCHI: An ISL football match on New Year’s eve in Kochi is becoming a hot topic of debate with the civic administrators coming up against the Police Department’s request to postpone the match. Considering the difficulty in arranging security for the match on New Year’s eve, the police had already requested the Kerala Blasters team management to postpone the match.
According to the police, they will have to deploy additional personnel to manage the stadium and its premises besides the city streetscape. Unwanted incidents, consumption of liquor in public places, preventing rave parties and transportation of illicit liquor are some of the major headaches the police will have to monitor during the New Year. Managing security cover for the stadium and the premises will require the services of additional policemen, added the police.
Meanwhile, Hibi Eden MLA said the police should rethink the request. “The police have informed they will not be able to undertake the security cover of the stadium because of the New Year. However, thousands of football lovers are eagerly waiting for the match against Bengaluru FC. The police can arrange security under special service category. The online tickets for the match are already sold out. The postponing the match at this juncture will be difficult,” he added.
Hibi said the match is expected to attract football lovers from other districts too. “The match will begin at 5.30 pm. Usually, the ISL matches in Kochi begin at 8 pm. This match will begin in the evening and will end at 7.30 pm. So managing security will not be a major issue. Moreover, it will be a great shame if we postpone a match due to the inability to arrange security. Hence, considering the feeling of the football lovers, the matches should be conducted as per the schedule,” added Hibi.