FIFA academy: Kerala erupt in joy

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Kerala is a state where soccer mania even subdues religion. FIFA's willingness to set up a soccer academy in Kerala is an virtual approval of states love for the game. Soccer enthusiasts are pinning their hopes on academy that it will further promote the growth of soccer in the state.

Sports and Youth affairs minister P.Vijayakumar has said that preliminary steps for the setting up of the academy has already begun.

Keala's Football legacy dates back to the final decades of the nineteenth century. It was the British who introduced Soccer and Cricket to Kerala . Soccer because of its easily understandable rules and less costly nature struck up deep roots in Kerala. The passion was more in the northern districts like Malappurm, Kozhikode,Kannur and Palakkad. The game became so popular that more and more football tournaments began to flourish in nook and cranny of the state. Several teams such as Titanium, Premier tyres, Keltron were once considered powerful football forces in the state. Chakkola cup,GV Raja Cup and Mamman Mappila trophy were the major football tournaments in the state.

The first major glory for Kerala came in 1973 when state football team under the captaincy of Mani won the prestigious Santosh trophy. Since then Kerala has given birth to number of players who have represented themselves in the national level. IM Vijayan, Joe Paul Anchery and CV Pappachan are some of the soccer stars who have made a mark in the national level.

However luster is worn out in recent years. Soccer players from the state are migrating to other states, where recruiters are waiting with a bagful of money. Most of the regional tournaments in the state have also come to a standstill. Major institutional clubs are no more. The government's indifference towards the promotion of the game has also dampened the spirit of the game in the state. As a result,youth in Kerala are becoming more and more attracted to Cricket, which give more fame and money. The kids have understood that they can be on television playing cricket or even hockey.

It is to be noted that despite having strong soccer legacy Kerala has no representation in the national league. Only decade back, FC Cochin the first self-proclaimed professional club of the country, were the toast of the nation.

." Once the academy is set up,players in Kerala will get a chance to interact with the quality players of the game in world football and occasionally they will also get a chance to play the game out side the country" says Sreedharan, a veteran coach in Thrissur. "Players also will have chance to know about the different styles of soccer such as Latin American and European" Players will also get a chance to host more international tournaments" he added.

Football lovers hope that more and more money will be pumped in and it will help to bring soccer back to mainstream in Kerala. They also wish that the ' political wall ' which usually hinter the development of the state will not affect the academy and waiting eagerly for more Vijayans and Pappachans