Kolkata: As the city awaits arrival of football legend Lionel Messi, the authorities here have swung into action, laying out a revamp plan for the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, which will host the Argentina vs Venezuela friendly match on September 2.
The West Bengal government along with representatives from the Indian Football Association (IFA) chalked out their list of priorities ahead of the international friendly match after a marathon recce found the venue in a pathetic shape.
The entire stadium, having a crowd capacity of 1.20 lakh, will be painted afresh, Sports Minister Madan Mitra told reporters after an inspection today.
"We are short on both time and money. So we have made a list of priorities that includes revamping the turf, dressing rooms among others."
Giving details about their revamp plans, Mitra said "the stadium will sport a new look courtesy a new paint."
The much-maligned floodlights will also be changed but Mitra said with time being a constraint they would now replace only the faulty bulbs.
"In the long run, the entire floodlight arrangements will be replaced. Improving players' changing room, electronic scoreboard are also on the wishlist. Necessary changes will be made to the artificial turf."
Mitra said he had requested the Celebrity Management Group, the organisers of the match, to reduce the ticket prices initially pegged at Rs 1,000-Rs 50000.
However the affiliated units of the state football association will be given their quota of tickets at a reduced price, IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguli said.
Meanwhile the state sports minister directed to stop functioning of a hookah bar on the way to the stadium.
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