IPL-type footbal tournament to kick-off

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Though the love for the game is there in plenty, lack of innovative marketing strategies to tap that support base is costing Kerala football dearly.

An attempt to counter this comes in the form of a seven-a-side football tourney, under the aegis of Kerala Football Association, at Edavanna Seethi Haji Stadium in Malappuram from May 15 onwards.

Sevens tournaments are there in the State, both authorised and unauthorised, but the one scheduled to be played at Edavanna may prove a new ray of hope for the game. This could be used to draw better strategies for the growth of the football in the State.

“We consider this a pilot project. Only after considering the success rate of the tournament will we be able to decide on its continuation. We have entrusted the Foundation for Indian Soccer Achievement to conduct the tournament,” says Kerala Football Association secretary Anil.

If everything goes right, then the sevens tournament, the first-of-the-kind promoted by the state football association, will see the most brilliant and expensive legs now playing in the country.

The IPL-like tournament boasts of several leading players, who will be auctioned to the eight regional teams.

“Sunil Chhetri, Sabeeth, Sukhwinder Singh, Subrata Pal, Mohammed Rafi, M.P. Sakeer, Pradeep, Ajayan, Dhanraj, Odafa Okolie, Baba Tunde, Jose Barreto and David Sunday are some of the players who have agreed to participate in the tournament. This would be a different experience and if it is a success, this will help in marketing football in a big way,” said P. Shamsudheen, president of the Foundation for Indian Soccer Achievement (FISA).

Moreover, this would open ample opportunities for the local players to garner their skills and as only two icon players and two foreign players are allowed in a team.

To add more flavour, there would be an entertainment fiesta for the audience before and after the match. “We hope this would set an example and generate a revenue model in football in the state,” said Shamsudheen.