Malappuram: In an exciting development for football enthusiasts in Malappuram, the district will launch another professional football club after Gokulam Kerala FC. The club titled, Malappuram FC, will be officially launched soon and will debut in the prestigious Kerala Super League (KSL).
The introduction of Malappuram FC marks a significant milestone for a region renowned for its passionate football culture. The team has appointed former England player and former Chennaiyin FC coach Charles Gregary as Chief Coach of the team and Chennaiyin FC Technical Director Cleofas Alex as the assistant coach of the team. The team has also approached some quality foreign players to their squad and they will line up some big names in Indian football also.
Calicut University stadium has been fixed as the practice ground for the club and the Sports Council Stadium at Manjeri will be the home venue. “We are very optimistic about forming a good line-up for the inaugural edition of the Kerala Super League. The management is all set to launch the team and we have done a thorough research before forming the team. We have a strong financial backup and a very clear plan for the next five years. The team will address the long pending demand of football fans in Malappuram to have their team in a major tournament,” said Malappuram FC Managing Director Anvar Ameen Chelat.
The club plans to construct its stadium at Vazhakkad bordering the Kozhikode district shortly and they have acquired a 15-acre plot. “We are concentrating on developing budding talents from Malappuram who can earn more than Rs 2 crore in a season as a player. The Super League tournament at present is only for a short period of 45 days and we have a contract with the training team for a year. The club will also have an academy which fosters young talents,” Executive Director Ashiq Kainikkara said. “This is a dream come true for the football lovers of Malappuram,” Ajmal Bismi, one of the promoters of the club said.
