olkata, June 6 (IBNS): West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra said that the state government will try to take all the necessary steps to ensure the success of the International friendly match between Argentina and Venezuela that will be hosted on Sep 2 at the Salt Lake Stadium here.
"We want this match to be played is a clear statement from the government. We will try our best. We will have no stone unturned," Mitra said.
"The condition of the toilet, change room, media room is very poor," he said on Monday as the official announcement on the much awaited match was made.
He also said that the time for the preparation is very less and it will take time for them to prepare the stadium for such an important match.
"We are not saying that it will be possible to transform it to the international standard but we will give extra importance to the toilet, change room and media room this time," he said.
Speaking on the power cut problem that often affects the stadium he said: "We have already spoken to Chennai for the back up power."
"We will also see that the Astroturf is better maintained," he said.
Slamming the previous Left Front government, Madan Mitra said: "Messi is coming only there where there is mess."
Subrata Dutta, Vice President, All India Football Federation, said: "These events not only enhance the popularity of the game but draws the attention of government both at the state as well as at the central."
"The game will make football more popular in India rather than bettering the game in India," U.K.Ganguly, Honorary Secretary, Indian Football Association, said.
Bhaswar Goswami, Executive Diorector, Celebrity Management Group (CMG), the organisation which is the exclusive Licensee for this historic match, announced that the match will take place on Sep 2 and they will also organise the match between Argentina and Nigeria in Bangladesh on Sep 6.
He announced that Argentina and Venezuela will bring the full and strong team in India and will arrive in India on Aug 30.
"There will be one day practice session that will be held in a different stadiums and that will also be ticketed," Goswami said.
"We are also planning to felicitate the entire team and we will hope that our Chief MInister will be there as the Chief Guest in the event," he said.
CMG was also responsible for the historic tour of football legend Diego Maradona in Kolkata during Dec 2008.
"We will announce shortly the ticket distribution plan. Tickets can be purchased online from any part of India. Tickets will also be available in CBS branches of our Partner Bank," D. Pandey, CEO, CMG said.
He also announced that they are planning to introduce few special VIP hospitality boxes in the stadium.
