GCDA (The Greater Cochin Development Authority) seems to have changed their stance on the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, by maintaining that it would be the venue for the conductance of both cricket and football matches. GCDA Chairman V Salim said that the demand raised by the KCA (Kerala Cricket Association) was rightful. He also maintained that GCDA would initiate the discussions to resolve the issue amicably. GCDA Chairman underlined that it has got a 30 year contract with KCA and the organization would never try to breach the accord.
From 2017 onwards, The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor has been completely reserved for the conductance of football matches. In 2017, when the FIFA under 17 world cup was co hosted by the city, the authorities had to remove the cricket pitches from the ground, owing to the guidelines set by FIFA. However since then, it was the Sports Hub in Thiruvananthapuram that became the sole venue in Kerala for the conductance of cricket matches. Essentially the home ground to Kerala Blasters, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium has become the ground exclusively reserved for football matches. In order to find a solution to this, couple of days ago the KCA authorities have asked GCDA authorities to allow the state body for the conductance of cricket matches in the International stadium in Kochi.
