Sachin's Kerala Blasters to start residential football academy

The football club has signed an MoU with the State government to develop 100 footballers of international standards over the next five years.

The Kerala Blasters football club, co-owned by cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and the Kerala government has agreed to set up a residential football academy in the State to nurture young talent.

An understanding has also been arrived at for a comprehensive programme to create 100 footballers of international standards in the next five years from the State. Mr. Tendulkar has also agreed to the Kerala Government’s request to be its ambassador for the anti-liquor/drug campaign.

The announcements were made at a joint press conference by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Sachin Tendulkar and actors Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna, the new partners of Kerala Blasters club at the Secretariat here on Wednesday, following a closed door meeting.

“The reason for us to visit the CM today was to make him meet the co-owners and discuss a way forward where the youngsters of the state can benefit. We have been doing this for a couple of yours at the grass root level, where we are working with 40 schools. But, we understand that the interest levels are really high. The Government has agreed to back us and support us in our initiatives for the betterment of young budding sports stars from Kerala. The vision is to have a residential football academy where youngsters can shape their dreams,” said Mr. Tendulkar.

“We want to take it to the next level and that can only happen with better infrastructure and planning. For us, the journey has begun right from when we started the discussions. But, to be able to maintain this interest level and generate 100 top class footballers in the next five years is our aim,” he said.

The government is expected to provide infrastructure support for the residential academy, while Kerala Blasters will provide the technical know-how for operating the academy as well as to scout for and train young talent.

Mr. Vijayan said that Mr. Tendulkar has agreed to the Government’s request to use his name in its campaign against liquor and drugs. The details of the agreement will be worked out later, he said.