KOCHI: Three years into its inception, the Cochin Premier League holds out the promise of a professional approach finally taking shape in conducting football tournaments in Kerala.
Organised by the Ernakulam District Football Association, the league — called the Wayna Cochin Premier League for the last two seasons — has no less than five professional clubs on its roll. That includes Viva Kerala, the only team from the football crazy state in the I-League.
Although Viva has skipped the event due to their season-long national commitments, the battle for honours is still tough. The other four professional sides — Malabar United FC, Golden Threads FC, Josco FC and Eagles FC teams—are slated to compete in the national second division league.
“It is imperative that football becomes more professional,” said EDFA secretary and former international C C Jacob. “Cricket, especially with the advent of Twenty-20, is making inroads into the state’s sports scene with its professional set up. We need to bring in the latest methods and systems to attract youngsters. There was a time when teams turned up to play senior district league without proper jerseys.”
At a time when the standard of the game across the state has hit a new low falling at the first hurdle in the Santosh Trophy last year, the influx of foreign players has added a new dimension to the CPL. Though not of the highest quality, the nine foreign recruits in the fray are playing key roles in their respective team’s fortunes.
Malabar United has three players from abroad in their squad while Eagles, Golden Threads and Josco have two foreigners each. Eagles, the latest club to enter the professional category, has lined up two more.
Of the nine, six are Nigerians — Jeribe Kelechi of Josco, Onome Akporotu and Harrison Chigozi Uzoma of Golden Threads and Francis Efe Egware, Awa Emmanuel Aja and Nwokwu Michael Okwudili of Malabar. Both foreign faces in the Eagles team are from Ghana — Ali Abubacker Sadiq and Seidu Issif. Josco possesses Doumbia Mamadou, the lone Ivory Coast player. Of these, Abubacker is a familiar figure for Kochiites, from his time as an effervescent goalkeeper for FC Kochin.
With increasing competition, famous names are coming into the coaching role as well. Former India captain Joe Paul Anchery is in charge of Eagles assisted by fellow international Vinu Jose while Josco is managed by S Geevarghese, the only active coach in the state with the Asian Football Confederation’s ‘A’ license. “The presence of foreign players is a definite attraction of the Cochin Premier League,” said Geevarghese. However, the ground at the Maharaja’s College Stadium continues to catch the players, literally, on the wrong foot. “Most aspects of the league have a professional touch to it, except the ground. The surface is very rough and uneven. The players cannot produce their best under such conditions.”