Last yr, Thiruvananthapuram was swept off its ft by a soccer frenzy that the capital had not witnessed in a very long time. The district bought its first skilled soccer franchise beneath Super League Kerala (SLK), Thiruvananthapuram Kombans, courtesy a gaggle of entrepreneurs who name Thiruvananthapuram dwelling. As the second season of the league has kicked off with six groups within the fray, soccer followers within the metropolis are heady with pleasure once more.
Young followers M Surya Narayan and Vinayan VS clearly bear in mind when that final occurred. “Ten years ago during the SAFF Cup when there was an incredible turn out at the Greenfield stadium to watch India take on Afghanistan,” says Vinayan, 26, a financial institution worker. “Social media was hardly active at this level, save for some activity on Facebook.”
This time Thiruvananthapuram Kombans has six overseas gamers [from Brazil], in addition to these picked from nationwide degree and the younger uncooked skills chosen from soccer academies. While the reception the team acquired throughout dwelling matches at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, its dwelling floor, and at away matches final season took everybody without warning, it additionally revived the delight related to soccer within the metropolis as soon as upon a time.
The team has three fan golf equipment — South Coast Troopers, Komban Fanatics and Kombanpada. Surya, a scholar, began an Instagram account, Komban Army, in early 2024 when information of the enterprise was introduced. Little did he know then that it could develop into an formally registered fan membership with 500-plus members. “We were just 17 people initially. Then the fan base grew. The name South Coast Troopers was suggested by one of the members.”
The excited followers of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans
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Akshind AD, who manages Kombans Fanatics that has over 300 members on their WhatsApp neighborhood alone, says that after the final season’s matches, there was a sudden spurt of new tournaments. “Football is more popular here than cricket. Everyone associated Malappuram with football till the Kombans came to town. There is just as much potential here. But nothing was being done to encourage it. Holding trials and tournaments provide amateur players with more opportunities,” he says. Surya, like Akshind, was current in any respect 10 matches within the final season with a number of of the fan membership’s members.
KC Chandrahasan, managing director of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans, says, “The Kombans is a gift to Thiruvananthapuram from people who have lived their formative years here or found success in the city. It is for the first time that a business community is coming together and taking the initiative to give back to their city, reigniting the spirit of the city and love for the game of football.”
When TJ Mathew, a veteran footballer now in his 90s, who based Kovalam Football Academy to coach younger expertise from Kovalam, and Chandrahasan floated the concept for an expert membership, Dr MI Sahadulla, founder, KIMS Hospital, got here on board. “The city was not yet ready, but the need for an SLK team could not wait. Fortunately, the Kombans was fielded by about 25 investors who root for the capital,” Mathew says.
“Our investors wanted to bring back that glory, providing the youth with an opportunity to seize,” Chandrahasan provides.
Appukuttan Nair, a former participant, who holds the unbeaten report of 9 objectives within the 1982 Santosh Trophy match at Thrissur, says, “All clubs are defunct now. So clubs like Kombans will bring young players to the forefront. There are not enough grounds here for youngsters to play for free. That is the difference from our days. Malappuram has some form of football happening all the time, even Sevens, and they have plenty of grounds.”
The excited followers of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans
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Architect NS Abhayakumar, additionally a founding member of the Kombans, says that they’ve entered right into a five-year contract with Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium aimed toward including soccer and spectator-friendly infrastructure over every year. The grass has been relaid for the brand new season, floodlights and upkeep seat ladders put in other than establishing a semi-permanent dressing room and bogs to host a match of this scale,” he elaborates.
Chandrahasan reveals {that a} main soccer infrastructure venture is within the offing. “We should be doing more for future generations. Our plans include a FiFA-standard facility with a 11 A-side grass turf and collaborating with major football clubs noted for their academic excellence in the future.”
Promoters of the membership intend to make use of sports activities to steer kids away from vices that in any other case plague them. Dr Sahadulla, chairman, advisory board of the Kombans, sees sports activities as the proper automobile to advertise health and create jobs. “Each franchise can generate a good number of jobs in their respective districts. If Kombans is successful in making an impact in job creation, health awareness and talent nurturing, our investment will have paid off.”
The Kombans Sports Foundation organised a summer season faculty soccer match in the course of the annual faculty break earlier this yr the place 500 youngsters enrolled. G Vijayaraghavan, honorary director, says one of the explanations for the initiative was to create a social impression whereas combating drug abuse and display dependancy. “The next step is to select and train students after the match season wraps up. Similar camps are being planned around badminton and swimming for girls as there aren’t enough national-level participants from Kerala.”
Chandrahasan firmly believes that soccer is a sport for the lots. “We aim to keep it all-inclusive, be it for players or spectators, with people from all strata participating, instead of relegating it to a particular segment.”
Vinayan, who can also be an administrator with South Coast Troopers, was in a position to give his mom Sheeja S and youthful brother Vipul S their first reside matchviewing expertise final yr. Sheeja remembers the “vibe” being “another level”, selecting to observe two extra dwelling matches. “We went berserk!” she says, recollecting the thrill on the stadium that clearly appears to have rubbed off on her.
With Kombans all set to play their first sport on October 5, Surya remembers feeling a way of awe whereas stepping onto the grass discipline on the stadium final season. “Our stadium’s location in the heart of the city stirred a lot of curiosity. Those who would pass by in buses also came to watch and ended up following the rest of the season,” Vinayan says.
Members of South Coast Troopers, a fan membership of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans
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Manchester United-fan Arvind Soju, a software program skilled, feels that the team and the abilities they convey could possibly be a shock bundle. As a follower of ISL (Indian Super League) and then Kerala Blasters, the choice to assist an expert membership that signify his dwelling district was prompt. “Such an initiative is good news for the football ecosystem here in general,” he says.
“We’re expecting football with a Brazilian touch. Last season, we had no expectations as the team was new. Yet, they made it to the semis. That makes it even more exciting to watch the games this season,” Surya provides.
Thiruvananthapuram Kombans takes on Kannur Warriors at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium on October 5 at 7.30pm.
