During the pandemic, it has been a challenging time for India. The football clubs came together to support the citizens in need.
Almost all the clubs used their Twitter handles for amplifying COVID-19 support requests from various Twitter profiles. The move by the clubs that have a large follower count should be appreciated. It was the need of the hour, taking into account the seriousness of the situation.
We know that all football matches have been suspended for a year. Due to this, punters also didn’t get a chance to place their bets at popular betting sites in India. However, as things are going back to normal, the football clubs are looking forward to resuming the ISL tournament. This is good news for those looking to earn some money using their football knowledge.
Current Premier League Standings
Football clubs in India are gathering a lot of interest in recent times. From buying majority stakes to strategic partnerships, Indian clubs have benefitted in various ways.
While the City Football Group has obtained most of the stakes of ISL side Mumbai City FC and helped them secure success, Bundesliga and FC Goa outfit RB Leipzig entered into a strategic partnership for the development of young players.
Kerala United FC Follows GKFC and Kerala Blasters to Make Their Mark
The national football season of India is already in progress with the I-League Qualifiers scheduled to take place in October. Kerala United FC is expecting to gain from the collaboration.
In the year of the pandemic, Quartz FC, the Kozhikode-based team was purchased by United World Groups. It is the sports management firm that also owns the previous EPL side Sheffield United along with three other teams in UAE, France, and Belgium.
After it had been renamed Kerala United FC, the team that took part in the Kerala Premier League is going to make its way to the national platform.
The goal is quite simple and straightforward- go over to the ISL and battle it out with the best to secure the top position.
How is the Club Preparing for their Matches
Shabeer Mannaril, the CEO of the club said that they wish to grow in Indian football organically. They are aiming to play in the ISL in the next few years. The squad wants to have a solid fan base and foundation. The authorities want to develop youngsters and follow the system to reach the top instead of taking any shortcuts.
The designation of Bino George, the veteran coach shows the ambition of clubs. Bino is a well-respected coach of Indian football. In fact, he has played an important role in the performance of Kerala as it made its way to the top of Indian football.
Team’s Coach
The AFC Pro License coach, Bino George, had been hired when Gokulan Kerala FC was founded in 2017. It was under his leadership that the Malabarians were able to lift one trophy after the other. However, the biggest trophy of all was that of the I-League.
The 44-year old coach is popular to look out for talent and train young players. Bino has stated that the club’s philosophy about football has been in line with his ideals. He said that he would like to develop young footballers and turn them into prolific players.
It is one of the reasons he is attracted to his job other than wanting to get back to coaching. He likes the structure of the squad and said that the club is not pressurizing him in terms of success. However, in the long run, he is going to get the team ready to compete against the best team in the nation.
Kerala football teams have enjoyed some heady days when teams like Kerala Police, led by VP Sathyan and IM Vijayan, dominated Indian football. It progressed to a period of decline as several clubs went defunct. So, the reemergence of Kerala Blasters and dominating I-League champions has been kind of a renaissance.
Zakkariya Koduvery, the managing director of the club says that they hope to have their own place in Indian football as they had previously. They hope to contribute something to the progress of Indian football and provide some more young players with the chance to shine as they explore more projects in the time to come.
Final Thoughts
United is looking forward to following in their footsteps in terms of securing a lasting legacy. Blasters play the home games in Gokulam and Kochi in Kozhikode, United have Malappuram’s Payyanad Stadium as the home ground.
Since the area is the hotbed of football, the club opens to cater to the crazy fans of football in the area.
Shameer Ampopilakkil, the Marketing and Commercial Manager of KUFC have concluded that the group is considering clubs in Mumbai and Kolkata. However, they have seen the fan following of Gokulam and Blasters that is like that of Mohun Bagan. Hence, they felt that it’s a place to invest in.
Also, follow our Twitter page for the latest updates on the Durand Cup and Indian football.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Youtube.
