Recent documents have raised questions about the claims made by former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman regarding the procedural integrity of the Argentina football team's visit to Kerala. An inquiry report from the Sports Department reveals that several key correspondences related to the visit are missing from government records.

Missing Correspondences and Direct Sponsorship

The inquiry highlights that the Reporter Broadcasting Company was selected as a sponsor for the project without a tender process. Notably, this company signed an agreement with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) on December 20, 2024, just four days before the government officially began steps to facilitate the team's visit. This agreement was not documented in the government files, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.

On December 24, 2024, the Principal Secretary of the Sports Department issued an order to appoint the Sports Kerala Foundation to oversee the project, allowing the sponsor to organize two exhibition matches. However, the inquiry report, led by Special Secretary N Prashant, pointed out that the agreement with the AFA was absent from the Sports Department's records, further complicating Abdurahiman's assertions of following due procedure.

Concerns Over Document Management

Additionally, the inquiry report indicates that Abdurahiman communicated directly with AFA representatives via email, but many of these correspondences were only added to the files two years later. The report notes that most of the relevant correspondence is currently unavailable in the official files, which raises further questions about the handling of official documents and the potential bypassing of senior officials.

As the investigation continues, the discrepancies in the documentation surrounding the Argentina football team's visit to Kerala have cast a shadow over the former minister's claims, suggesting a need for greater transparency in the management of such high-profile events.