Latest news with #KeralaFootballAssociation
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Game changer? Bundesliga tie-up gives Kerala football new dream
KOCHI: When Kerala Football Association (KFA) and Super League Kerala (SLK) shook hands with German Football Association (DFB) a month ago, it wasn't just another MoU. It was a quiet but bold play for Kerala's footballing future. One that may take years to fully mature, but has the potential to transform the state's footballing DNA from the grassroots up. At the core of the tie-up is a sister-club partnership between SLK teams and clubs from Germany's 3rd Division Bundesliga (3. Liga) — a fiercely competitive professional league that has produced some of Germany's finest footballers. If things work out, each SLK club will now have a German counterpart, providing access to structured coaching, scouting, player development, and crucially, foreign player exchange. 'The Bundesliga 3rd division teams will provide us club and player management know-how and coaches' training module. They will provide us coaches and players too. That's because SLK teams can get six foreign players. So, instead of throwing money away outside, they can get players from the sister team itself. And their players get exposure here,' KFA president Navas Meeran told TNIE. The longer-term goal is clear: develop a pipeline of Kerala-born players with the potential to play professional football in Germany. With exposure to European systems, Kerala's footballing base could rise significantly in quality and ambition. 'Over a period of time, we will have good players. And because the German teams are connected with the clubs here, they will also see our good players. So, our players will get the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga 3rd division,' Meeran pointed out.
New Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Messi will come, asserts Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman
KOCHI: Raising fresh hopes of Lionel Messi playing in Kerala, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Friday posted on Facebook that the Argentina footballer and his team will visit the state. 'Messi is coming,' the minister posted. Though no dates or venues have been officially confirmed, the announcement comes amid speculation that Argentina may not play in Kerala. 'Messi is definitely coming, that is for sure. The remaining details will be out shortly,' Abdurahiman told TNIE. Last November, he announced the visit of the world champions for two international friendlies in Kerala. 'Team backing out after signing deal unlikely' There were reports that the team was considering playing in other countries in the same window. Argentine sports journalists had put out the schedule for the team's visit to China, Qatar and Angola in their October-November international-friendly break, leading to speculation that the team might not be heading to India during the period. 'It is likely that the team will visit Kerala, as the minister promised, since the contract has already been signed. Though we do not have much information right now, it is very unlikely for a team to back out after the agreement has been made,' said Kerala Football Association president Navaz Meeran.
