Global InformationFootball in Kerala information
Football is one of the most popular sports in Kerala.[1] It was introduced to the land of Kerala during the pre-independence period by British officers of the Malabar Special Police (MSP) in the 20th century. MSP was camped in Malappuram and soon the natives began adopting the sport, which was mostly played in post-harvest paddy fields.[2] Kerala enjoyed a golden age from 1985 to 1995 by making it to Santhosh Trophy finals seven times consecutively, and football became an iconic sport ever since in the south Indian state.[3] FIFA released the film Maitanam - The Story of Football in Kerala, quoting: Football in the Indian state of Kerala runs through the fabric of its society, where football is life and life is football.[4]
Kerala state football team appeared in the Santosh Trophy finals 15 times and won the trophy 7 times, latest in 2022 by defeating Bengal in the final on 2 May at the Payyanadu Stadium in Malappuram. Gokulam Kerala FC won the 2020–21 I-League to become the first ever club from Kerala to win an I-League title and they created history by becoming the first team in the I-League era to defend its title, being 2021-22 I-League Champions.[5] Gokulam Kerala FC is also the first club from Kerala to qualify for a continental competition, the AFC Cup.[6] Kerala Blasters, the Indian Super League club based in Kochi, are one of the most widely supported clubs in Asia and with one of the largest social media following among the football clubs from the continent.[7] Travancore Royals Football Club (TRFC), founded on 29 November 2018, is India's first fans-owned club.[8]
Kerala Premier League, together with Kerala Super League, is the official state level tournament, succeeding Kerala State Club Football Championship, both organized by the Kerala Football Association. SBI Kerala FC is the most successful Kerala League team becoming champions 6 times while Travancore Titanium FC is most successful in the Championship, winning it 10 times.
The Sait Nagjee Cup Football Tournament is a popular international club football tournament held in Kozhikode which has been attracting large crowd since 1952. Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho has served as the brand ambassador for the Sait Nagjee Football Tournament.
Famous international footballers including Ronaldinho,[9] Maradona,[10] Roberto Carlos,[11] Thomas Tuchel[12] visited Kerala for different reasons. David James and Dimitar Berbatov managed Kerala Blasters in different season. The Hero Super Cup of 2023 was held in Kerala.
- ^ Kumar, PK Ajith (2022-12-22). "Following the football World Cup craze in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "How Kerala shrunk football to make it its own". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ Kumar, Laxmi Mohan (2022-11-10). "Football Fever: Recollecting Kerala's Craze For The Sport Amidst Cut-Out Wars & World Cup Debates". thelogicalindian.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Kerala's passion for football and its links to anti-imperialism". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ PTI (2022-05-14). "Gokulam Kerala become first team to defend title in I-League era, beating Mohammedan SC 2-1". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ Dey, Sayak Dipta. "Gokulam Kerala FC win I-League, qualify for AFC Cup". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-27. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "'ചരിത്രമെഴുതി മഞ്ഞപ്പട'; 'ഏഷ്യയില്' അഞ്ചാം സ്ഥാനവുമായി കേരളാ ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ്". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ "The Travancore Royals Football Club Is Amplifying Women's Presence In The Field Of Sports Through Their Women's Day Campaign". PinkLungi. 2022-03-04. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho arrives in Kerala". sportstar.thehindu.com. 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ "Throwback: When Diego Maradona visited Kerala | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ admin (2021-05-19). "Roberto Carlos - People Of Kerala Were Like Brazillian Football Fans | IFTWC - Indian Football Team For World Cup". Retrieved 2023-04-08.
- ^ "'Ayurvedic rejuvenation': Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel explains reason behind visit to India". Hindustan Times. 2022-10-30. Retrieved 2023-04-08.