Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 12 (IANS) A little-known private individual has emerged at the centre of the controversy surrounding the proposed 2025 Kerala visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team, with official records showing that she was copied on email communications between then Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman and the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Ameera Aisha Beegum, a native of Malappuram and believed to be a friend of the former minister, was reportedly kept in the loop on communications relating to the proposed Messi event.
Copies of emails sent by Abdurahiman to AFA officials and the private sponsor were also marked to Beegum, raising questions over why a private individual was privy to official communications concerning a government-backed project.
State Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh on Wednesday said the mails and all such things appear to be shrouded in a mystery and this clearly warrants a detailed probe.
The revelation assumes significance as a report prepared by the Sports Department Secretary has raised serious questions over how the project was handled during the previous government headed by then Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.
The report points out that the government’s communication with the AFA was not conducted through the Sports Department, but directly by Abdurahiman.
The Sports Department Secretary and Director, according to the findings, were not part of the communication process.
Beegum’s inclusion in the email trail has consequently raised questions about a parallel channel through which information relating to the negotiations was being shared.
The records indicate that she was copied on communications involving the government, AFA officials and the private sponsor.
The matter is likely to come under a proposed high-level probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the Messi project.
The Sports Department Secretary’s report has reportedly recommended examining possible violations, including attempts to extend undue financial benefits to private parties and breach foreign-exchange regulations.
The report also questions the claim that the AFA had formally agreed to conduct a friendly match in Kerala.
It alleges that the Centre was given the impression that the AFA had officially agreed to the event, following which permission was obtained for the sponsor to remit Rs 126 crore abroad.
The key question now is why a private individual was copied into official communications involving a government-backed international sporting event.
–IANS
sg/rad
