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Kerala will welcome Musharraf: Chandy
Kerala would like Pakistani President to visit Kochi for the first India-Pakistan ODI on April 2, chief minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday.
Kerala would like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to visit Kochi for the first India-Pakistan One-Day International on April 2, chief minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday.
"It would be a great honour for Kerala to host him. I personally would do my best to ensure the general visits Kochi," Chandy said.
Musharraf had expressed a desire to visit India to witness either a Test or a one-day and India responded by formally inviting him. Details of the visit are being worked out.
"We have, on several occasions, hosted Indian Prime Ministers and Presidents at Kochi, so infrastructure-wise, we are comparable to the best anywhere in the country," Chandy contended.
"For us, what matters is to get him. We expect that in the coming days the decision would announced and then we would go ahead with the necessary preparations," Chandy added.
Sports minister Dominic Presentation also chipped in.
"We have a world-class airport and also internationally acclaimed hotels. We would do everything to get the Pakistani President," Presentation said.
Indian cricket board secretary SK Nair was non-committal on the issue.
"Of course, if he makes it to Kochi, it would be great. At the moment, there is a lot of speculation (about which city Musharraf would visit). I will not speculate and am waiting to hear from the Prime Minister's Office and this is expected any time now," Nair maintained.
