Messi Event Chaos Shows Importance of Proper Organization
The recent debacle surrounding Lionel Messi's appearance in Kolkata serves as a stark reminder of what happens when proper planning and organizational discipline are abandoned in favor of political grandstanding and VIP culture.
What should have been a dignified tribute to one of football's greatest players instead descended into chaos, with political figures hijacking the event and turning it into a display of everything wrong with modern event management. The West Bengal ruling party's interference transformed what could have been an orderly celebration into a shameful spectacle.
Individual Responsibility and Proper Planning
The event's failure highlights the critical importance of individual responsibility and professional competence. When organizers prioritize political connections over proper planning, the result is predictable chaos. The one-man agency responsible for the event clearly lacked the discipline and organizational structure necessary for such a high-profile occasion.
Messi, along with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, found themselves trapped in a poorly managed situation that reflected badly on the host city. The fact that they wished to leave immediately speaks volumes about the unprofessional nature of the proceedings.
Political Interference Undermines Success
The political maneuvering that kept the governor away while allowing other officials to dominate the event demonstrates how political considerations can corrupt what should be purely sporting celebrations. Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee eventually abandoned her planned attendance, recognizing the deteriorating situation.
The contrast with Hyderabad's successful organization of a similar event proves that proper planning, respect for protocol, and professional management can deliver dignified results. When politics takes a back seat to competence, events succeed.
Lessons in Accountability
The arrest of the chief organizer on the airport tarmac, while dramatic, represents a rare instance of immediate accountability. However, this reactive measure cannot restore the damage done to the city's reputation or the disappointment of fans who paid substantial sums for tickets.
The incident joins a growing list of poorly managed public events that highlight systemic issues with crowd control and organizational discipline. From IPL celebrations to political rallies, the pattern remains consistent: lack of proper planning leads to chaos and disappointment.
For Kolkata, a city with a proud history of hosting football legends including Pele and Maradona, this represents a particularly bitter failure. The city's football-loving population deserved better than the disorganized spectacle they witnessed.
Moving forward, event organizers must prioritize professional competence over political connections, ensuring that individual responsibility and proper planning take precedence over VIP culture and political grandstanding.