THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Teams that arrived here for the 11th edition of South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF), a major football event hosted by Thiruvananthapuram, raised many complaints.The game commences on December 23 and will be on till January 3 and all matches will be held at Trivandrum International Stadium.Two foreign teams said arrangements for boarding and practising were not up to the mark.Head coach of Afghanistan team Petar Segrt on Sunday said the team was not happy with their stay here. “I like the enthusiasm of people here, but if football is to gain popularity here there should be more professionalism in conducting events,” Segrt told ‘Express’.
The defending champions were put up in a five-start hotel in the city. He said the airless condition of the room made two players sick and that food was not served on time. Segrt said he would visit the LNCPE stadium in the outskirts on Sunday evening.The Sri Lankan team which arrived a week ago complained about the poor condition of the practice grounds. The team played a few practice matches with local teams but cancelled the rest as the players were getting injured. The Indian team which arrived on Sunday decided not to stay with the other teams, said a member of the District Football Federation. A press meet with Indian coach Stephen Constantine in the after noon at the hotel where Afghanistan team was staying was cancelled. The Pakistan cricket team had earlier pulled out of the championship without officially citing any reasons.
KFA entrusted with technical organisation said SAFF delegates were satisfied with the practice grounds and main venue when they visited a few weeks ago. “We have cut the grass, levelled the ground, provided portable goal posts and so on. To raise the practice grounds to international standard a lot of fund is needed. KFA does not get any money for doing all this,” said KFA secretary Anilkumar. The ground at Chandrasaekharan Nair stadium could not be used as construction works were going on and University Stadium requires a lot of money to make it play worthy, he said.
KFA: No ROle in Hotel Bookings
KFA clarified that it was not involved in hotel bookings, that was entrusted to a private commercial partner of SAFF.National Federations have the option of registering their complaints with SAFF