Five-member CBF delegation inspects Salt Lake Stadium ahead of India vs Brazil friendly
A five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation inspected Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on Thursday and Friday as part of preparations for the India vs Brazil international friendly scheduled for October 3. The delegation reviewed stadium facilities, training infrastructure, team accommodation and security arrangements during the visit.
The All India Football Federation and the Government of West Bengal are coordinating to prepare the venue and match operations with the stated aim of delivering an international-standard experience for spectators. The CBF delegation travelled to Kolkata specifically to assess preparations, infrastructure and arrangements for the fixture at Yuvabharati Krirangan.
The inspection began at the stadium training ground where officials examined the playing surface, turf condition, goalposts, dressing rooms, sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure. Delegation members who conducted the review were Sérgio Dimas de Oliveira (General Supervisor of the Brazilian Football Team), Vinicius Barrozo Costa (Administrator), José Vitor Senatore de Paula Lima (Marketing and Operations Manager), Guilherme Passos Ramos (Physiologist) and Bruno Mazzei Reis (Security Department).
As part of their schedule in Kolkata, the delegation visited the Federation’s Centre of Excellence in New Town and inspected a five-star hotel close to Yuvabharati Krirangan to review accommodation standards and related requirements for the Brazilian team. They also assessed key match-day facilities and held discussions on security and operational arrangements with local authorities; the inspection was attended by Federation Director and former Indian footballer Subrata Pal, IFA Secretary Anirban Dutta and West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Kha.
Speaking after the inspection, Sports Minister Indranil Khan said, "There is tremendous excitement among the people of West Bengal surrounding the India-Brazil match. The state government will ensure that all necessary infrastructural improvements and arrangements are completed for the successful organisation of the match. Our aim is to provide spectators with an international football experience of World Cup standards."
Indian football legend I. M. Vijayan welcomed the visit by Brazil and highlighted its potential impact on the game domestically, noting the arrival of Brazilian players such as Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha. On the effect for young Indian players he said, "The young players will play and gain experience, which is a very big thing. It will become a memory for them for the rest of their lives. My football career ended a long time ago. Whatever I played, I played wholeheartedly. Now our players should enjoy the game."
Vijayan also commented on the economic dimension of hosting a high-profile side, saying it involves significant expenditure but demonstrates a willingness among people in India to invest in football; he added that, if he had no other commitments or issues, he would travel to Kolkata to watch the match.
India’s Blue Tigers are scheduled to face Brazil in an international friendly at Yuvabharati Krirangan on October 3, the fixture for which these inspections were conducted.