Kochi Corporation strikes peace with Tuskers

KOCHI: Moving towards an amicable resolution to the standoff between the Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) management and the Kochi Corporation, the civic body on Friday granted permission to have a hospitality block for the IPL matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here.The Corporation's decision comes in the wake of the KTK management seeking permission to have the block to enable a select group to enjoy the match, Mayor Tony Chammany told Express. Those having the privilege to enter the block may not be considered spectators, they submitted.The privileged class includes the representatives of the team management, sponsors, the BCCI and the KCA and their guests.The application seeking such a sector was submitted after the Corporation took objection to the organisers printing a portion of tickets of face value of Rs 15,000 at Rs 49 to be given as complimentary tickets.Subsequently, the Grand Stand at the venue, which functioned as the hospitality box earlier, was closed for the last match held on April 27. According to the new understanding, special boxes will be demarcated as IPL Stand, Owners Stand and KCA box within the area of the Grand Stand, sources said.Also, special invitations will be issued to the dignitaries instead of tickets.The situation had taken an ugly turn on Wednesday, after the Corporation officials made an attempt to visit the stadium to conduct an inspection. As they were not allowed to enter the stadium, the Corporation had threatened to take legal recourse