KOZHIKODE: The possible merger of I-League - the official football league of the country - with the more popular and better-paying Indian Super League (ISL) has been doing the rounds for quite some time. But Kerala’s lone I-League team Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) firmly believes such a move would ensure a sure spot for the team in the merged entity.
On the occasion of the unveiling of the new GKFC kit, club president V C Praveen said the merger would prove good not only for the team but for football at large.The team management is also hopeful of a ‘much better’ performance this I-League season. Coach Bino George said the team aims to finish within the top three.“Our other target is to make GKFC the first team from Kerala to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup,” he said.“Our bench strength is very strong. Most players in the team are below the age of 25, making GKFC the youngest team in the league. They have the potential to create miracles this season. We retained most of the players from last season and they have learnt valuable lessons.”
GKFC had debuted in the I-League last year and also found a place in the Super Cup which tests the mettle of the top teams. Praveen said the team has rectified the issues which it faced last year.“We got the name ‘Giant Killer’ last season and will put up a performance which will live up to that name,” he said.
New kit unveiled
GKFC chairman Gokulam Gopalan unveiled the team’s new jersey in a function held here on Saturday and introduced the 29-member squad. Defensive midfielder Mudde Musa of Uganda has been named captain for the season and Muhammed Rashid, a native of Wayanad has been selected vice-captain.
With every team allowed to register 35 players for the I-League, the management has left six spots vacant.
“Last season, we registered 35 players. But several of them were injured as the season progressed. As per the All India Football Federation rules, the maximum number of players for one season is 35. So, we couldn’t register new players. To avoid such a situation, we have left six spots vacant,” explained the coach.
GKFC to donate ticket revenue to CMDRF
Gokulam Kerala FC will donate the entire ticket revenue from the opening I-League match to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to help the flood-affected people. The club will play Mohun Bagan in their opening match at the EMS Corporation Stadium here on October 27. Club chairman Gokulam Gopalan said, along with business, the Gokulam group of companies have always stood with the people. “We believe we have a social responsibility to help the flood victims. Football is a popular sport in Kerala and we see this as an opportunity to help the flood victims,” said Gopalan.