Kerala’s football scene at the grassroots is struggling. The very foundation of football in Kerala is shaky, despite the roaring fandom.
Published Dec 03, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 03, 2024 | 12:34 PM
Kerala Football. Representative Image.
Lionel Messi is sleeping through the day and crying at midnight. It’s a hectic sleep cycle. He’s now pretty good at walking but occasionally loses control. No, it’s not Argentina’s Messi we refer to; in Kerala, there’s a little Lionel Messi — a 1.5-year-old bundle of joy.
Malappuram’s Aithupurackal Mansoor and Safeela named their child AP Lionel Messi.
Though friends and relatives criticised Mansoor’s choice of name for his son, the hardcore Argentina fan never regretted it. He proudly joined a growing list of Keralites naming their children after football idols.
A.P Lionel Messi
In November 2022, a couple from Chalakudy, Shaneer and Fathima, named their newborn “Idhin Messi” while watching Argentina play Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup.
Their baby’s naming ceremony, held in Chalakudy’s Indoor Stadium, became a community celebration; the infant and his parents were surrounded by hundreds of Argentina fans.
This passion defines Kerala. FIFA even acknowledged the state’s fervour during the World Cup when giant cutouts of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi emerged on a local river and were featured by FIFA on Twitter, now called X.
No other Indian state can match Kerala’s undying love for football, a place where the sport is more a religion than a game.
Now, with the news of Lionel Messi himself set to play on Kerala soil next year, millions of football enthusiasts are ecstatic.
Beneath the passion, though, is the stark reality that Kerala’s football scene at the grassroots is struggling. The very foundation of football in Kerala is shaky, despite the roaring fandom.
Salimkutty PA
The football scene in Kerala is currently divided over Messi’s expected arrival in the state. Most players and fans are excited, yet there are concerns from certain quarters.
The question is whether the huge investment should be directed towards revitalising Kerala’s own game and football grounds, rather than playing host to a reigning star.
Salimkutty PA, a former Santosh Trophy player and the president of the Idukki Football Association, has a clear stance.
Having left football due to an injury, Salimkutty began a free football training camp called ‘Unity Soccer Club’ at the age of 21 to nurture new talent.
Even after three decades, he continues to run summer camps during the school vacation period and weekend training sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.
Several of Kerala’s star players, including NP Pradeep, Justin Stephen, and Sanush Rajan, were once students of Salimkutty.
In a conversation with South First, Salimkutty said, “The Indian Super League (ISL) has opened new opportunities for young talent in Kerala football. Our players now have the chance to compete alongside foreign professionals. However, when compared to the older generation, there’s a lack of commitment to the sport.”
The number of players from Kerala selected for the Indian team is still very low. One of the main reasons why the new generation is not pursuing football as a full-time profession is the lack of financial security.
If a player gets injured or experiences a dip in performance, there’s little support, despite having dedicated his entire life to the sport, Salimkutty points out.
“NP Pradeep is a perfect example — he won the Nehru Cup for India for the first time, yet the government has not ensured his financial well-being. Messi may play in Kerala, but Kerala won’t raise a Messi,” he said.
Anilkumar, Secretary General of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), shared a different perspective with South First.
“The issue isn’t limited to football; Kerala’s sports sector as a whole lacks a realistic approach,” he stated.
“There hasn’t been a comprehensive development study or project aimed at advancing football. To produce professional, high-quality players, we need top-notch coaching. While we’ve had exceptional players in the past, how many of them have ventured into coaching?” he questioned.
“Many coaches fail to stay updated and adapt to modern standards. A critical question is: How many of our coaches would meet the quality assessments set by the Asian Football Confederation?” he further asked.
“This lack of quality is a key issue. Even in the Indian Super League, we still rely heavily on foreign coaches. Additionally, politics plays a significant role in hindering progress. While celebration and fandom have their place, a proper study and monitoring system is essential to truly nurture and develop great players,” Anilkumar said.
Aaron with his teammates at Marian College, Kuttikkanam
Aaron GK, a former player for Thiruvananthapuram Kombans and Kovalam FC, shared his thoughts with South First. “I last played with Kovalam FC, but this year I wasn’t selected after they hired a new player. In India, physical fitness and parameters like height and weight often outweigh talent. This focus on physical traits limits opportunities for many players. In contrast, foreign teams prioritise talent and football understanding.”
Aaron also highlighted the case of Mithun V, who captained the Kerala Santosh Trophy team in 2019.
Mithun was a key player in Kerala’s 2018 Santosh Trophy win, making two brilliant saves in the final. Despite his skill, he wasn’t selected for the Indian team due to height requirements, a decision Aaron found disheartening.
“This discourages young talent, pushing them toward 7-a-side football leagues, where they get daily payments but more visibility,” he said.
He said players like Ashiq Kurunian, Anas Edathodika, and CK Vineeth made it to the Indian team due to their dedication and rigorous training, despite initially facing criticism for playing in 7s football leagues.
Red Jewels Football Academy
Joji John, coach at Red Jewels Football Academy, Kottayam, shed light on the hurdles young footballers face in Kerala.
He told South First that the path into the Santosh Trophy team for young players is often blocked by the dominance of experienced players.
Training a footballer requires dedication, time, and significant financial resources — things you may find hard to access without support.
In many foreign countries where sports are accorded priority, children get the chance to train at football nurseries from a young age, if they show talent. However, in Kerala, sports often take a backseat to academics.
“Private football academies, charging ₹10,000 to ₹30,000 as fees per month, offer better opportunities for selection to the Kerala Premier League (KPL), John said.
“If you make it to the KPL, it could be your gateway to the Santosh Trophy and even the Indian football team. But for those with talent and limited financial means, the dream often remains out of reach,” he said.
Saradhi Sankar, an alumnus of Marian College Kuttikkanam, and a local football player who has now chosen a different profession, said, “We can celebrate Messi and Neymar, but Kerala’s soil isn’t fertile for nurturing young footballers. The state cannot offer footballers financial security. There is little professionalism in the management of sports, and there are no stable job opportunities for aspiring players. Many with genuine passion and raw talent for football are forced to abandon their dreams.”
Philip Koshi (name changed), a resident of the sports hostel at Baselious College, Kottayam, told South First of the harsh conditions faced by athletes in Kerala’s sports hostels, which are managed by the Kerala Sports Council.
While sports kits are meant to be provided annually, no kits were distributed over the last two years.
This year, the kits supplied were designed for sub-junior teams and were provided for senior athletes.
Equipment quality is equally problematic; despite receiving ten balls, only three are usable, he says. Effective training cannot happen with the dearth of essential equipment.
Philip revealed that their coach, employed by the Sports Council, has not received his salary for the past six months.
Nutritional support is another area of concern. Although the government allocates ₹250 per day for food, including chicken and meat, it falls short of meeting the high protein requirements of athletes, forcing them to buy supplements out of pocket.
Moreover, the monthly incentive of ₹2,000, meant to be credited to the athletes’ bank accounts, has not been received for several years.
Balancing academics with a rigorous training schedule, from 6 am to 8 am and 3 pm to 8 pm, is another challenge. Despite representing the state and college in various competitions, students often face attendance shortages, risking their eligibility for university examinations.
TP Dasan, former president of the Kerala Sports Council, said that the funds shortage has become acute after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There is a shortage of funds, and unfortunately, the burden falls on the students themselves,” he told South First.
“I believe the government has now allocated funds, but the situation worsened after Covid-19, and this has been reflected in our sports meets. We lack quality outcomes from these events,” he said, adding that playing host to Messi can happen alongside providing for athletes within the state.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas.)
