New Delhi: A day after Blackburn Rovers raised doubts over their visit to India for an exhibition tie following the serial blasts in Mumbai, the Western India Football Association said the match is on and it has received the necessary NOCs from the concerned departments.
English Premier League side Blackburn are scheduled to play Pune FC in a friendly match at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, the home of their owners, Venky's, on July 22.
"Everything is on track. WIFA has not received any intimation of cancellation. All the necessary NOCs (No Objection Certificates) have been received (from union sports ministry, police) as all the concerned security personnel are supposed to be kept in loop for conducting a match," said WIFA CEO Henry Menezes.
As far as security was concerned, Menezes said, the Pune District Football Association, the host venue, will take care of that.
The Pune District Football Association comes under WIFA's jurisdiction.
Earlier, a statement from the office of Paul Agnew -- press officer of the Lancashire based club -- had said that "Blackburn Rovers officials have a meeting scheduled with the foreign office to check on safety issues. Only after that meeting will it be known whether Blackburn will continue with the tour."
Meanwhile, All India Football Federation (AIFF) has made it clear that it has no objection with the hosting of the exhibition match, provided the organisers get clearance from the state and central government, it was reported in the media.
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