Sevens football fever grips Kerala

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It is that time of the year when football fever slowly sets into Malabar region.

With the commencement of the Sevens football season in Malappuram, around 30 clubs will compete in 50 tournaments during this season which ends in June.

“The clubs are getting ready. Training sessions have started and more players will come in to join the teams. The first tournament will be held in Mambadu in Malappuram.

The season will be one of the major sporting events in Malabar with so many clubs and players participating,” said Mohammed Ashraff, secretary of the Kerala Sevens Football Association. About 300 players including 60 foreigners have registered in 30 clubs to play in the sevens tournaments.

“Most of the foreign players are from countries in Africa and are well paid. The grounds for the matches are being set up now. Last season there were a couple of European players as well. All the clubs are competing to showcase the best football which is why they are signing on some of the best players. The tournaments will be held in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur,” Mohammed Ashraff said.

Considering the football frenzy in Malabar it is no wonder that the tournaments, mostly local, are a hit every year.

“The profits we get through the tournaments are used for philanthropic activities. A report about these activities is submitted to the association by the registered clubs every year,” he said.

Sevens football boasts of grooming several national players from the Malabar region. “Most of the players in the region who have shone internationally have played Sevens football since they were kids,” added Mohammed Ashraff.

The association is all set to apply for membership to the sports council. “There are no major football tournaments at present in Kerala that will enable players to practice and get exposure. Most football fans are finding an answer to this problem by watching the local Sevens tournament,” Mohammed Ashraff explained.

However, the Kerala Football Association has not recognised the tournaments and has taken strict action against players who play the Sevens football tournaments.