My visit to Kerala in the month of May 2010 was a family affair but I ended up experiencing the football fever in Kerala the most. It is a known fact that Kerala is one of the state in India which has great football followers. But the sad part is that cricket is slowly creeping into the psyche of the youngsters of Kerala like a slow poison. It was indeed disheartening to see the fields in Kerala being thronged by people playing cricket. There was a time when I could not see any single field with people playing cricket. Time has changed, the imperialism of cricket has reached Kerala too and it is very painstaking to say that there will be still more followers of cricket in the coming time with the advent of IPL Kochi. In spite of this, I was happy that even today the fields at many places in Kerala have the goal post made by supari trees, players donning their skills in the makeshift ground on the field and playgrounds still having the compulsory iron goal post at each end. During my stay in the three districts of Kerala namely Thrissur, Ernakulam and Malappuram, I could see this hoarding made by the community clubs of that village exhibiting their support to mostly either Brazil or Argentina.
Since I knew it happens in Kerala just before the start of the Football World Cup, I was eagerly observing all these hoardings. I never had the opportunity to be in Kerala during the World Cup month. I wonder what would be the football waves at that time in Kerala more particularly when teams like Brazil and Argentina scores a goal or win a match. If you have any input on it, I would be more than happy to know about it. I believe such would be the football fever in all the districts of Kerala. In my knowledge, I have not known any state in India where they put hoarding and stuff in praise for their supporting team. If it would be, then it would be in some villages but not throughout all the villages and community clubs like in Kerala. I wish that I stay back in Kerala till the Football World Cup but I have my priorities and responsibilities back in my Mumbai.
During my stay in Kerala for 12 days, I had the opportunity to coach boys who have enrolled for summer camp in one of the village of Irinjalakuda of Thrissur District. Imade the most of this occasion and tried in establishing the interest in football and informed them about the history of Indian football and what should be their focus as afootballer.
On a visit to the Thrissur District Football Stadium, I happened to meet Mr. Mohan,committee member of Thrissur District Football Association, Former National Referee(AIFF) and we discussed about the state of football in Kerala and the pros and cons of having the much talked about 7-a-side football tournaments of Kerala. According to Mr.Mohan, the sevens football tournament is actually diminishing the quality of football wherein the youngster for some meagre amount they risk injury as well as they degrade their development. There was also this under 19 state team selected 30 probables for under 19 nationals to be held in Kolkatta. He praised the state initiative in not sending any overage players and having very strict selection criteria with respect to age. This one thing I really lauded and wished that it is implemented at all levels and stages in IndianFootball.
It was so enthralling to look this Thrissur District Football Ground as in the one corner of the ground there was these lads of district summer football camp for under14 boys and girls, at one corner there was one division club of Thrissur conducting its selection trial and practice and in the center was the under 19 state selection going on.Mr. Mohan during the conversation also informed that on a yearly basis there are lotsof youngsters especially from Thrissur who get signed and plays for various clubs inMumbai and also Akbar Travel Football Club, elite division club of MDFA, conducts its selection camp in Thrissur only. In Mumbai, I feel there is quantity in terms of 300 plus clubs being enrolled with MDFAbut quality is not to be seen and also the following with respect to state like Kerala is diminutive.
