A cricketer’s gift for Kochi football lovers

Kochi: Sachin Tendulkar’s untimely exit from the management of Kerala Blasters FC after just four seasons was a shocker for a number of football fans that had hoped the cricket icon would stick around, like forever, for at least as long as his indomitable playing career had lasted.

But as one cricketer bids goodbye to Kerala football, another arrives, through a revolving door, pledging a longer partnership.

Unlike the legend who had teamed up with a top-flight club, the newcomer, true to his humble achievements compared to the former, has vowed to build a team from the scratch.

Former Test cricketer Tinu Yohanan, a Kochi native, has stepped into the void, inadvertently though.

The ex-medium pacer, along with a friend, has bought a local club in the city and they’ve rechristened it FC Kochi – no relation to the erstwhile iconic club FC Kochin that comprised a galaxy of stars, including I.M. Vijayan, Jo Paul Anchery and Carlton Chapman that won the Durand Cup in its prime before perishing shortly after the turn of the new millennium.

“I have always been passionate about football and we are quite serious about the project,” said Tinu Yohanan. The cricketer, who played for India before S. Sreesanth arrived on the scene, wants to build a club that focuses on developing young footballers.

“We bought it with the motive of overall development. This project was in mind for a few years and initially the idea was to associate with an existing club but then not everyone shared our vision and that’s how we decided to do it on our own.”

Joji Mathew Daniel, a former physical education trainer, is the co-owner and the CEO of FC Kochi.

“We have focused mostly on recruiting U-23 players and there are footballers from throughout the state,” said Joji.

FC Kochi will experience a baptism by fire as it has been registered with the Kerala Premier League, the state’s biggest football championship, most likely in October. Former Kerala Blasters squad member Ajith Sivan, Santosh Trophy players Vibin Ajayan and Rafeek are some of the youngsters raring for a fresh start. The club is looking to add a few experienced players on loan with the KPL in mind.

Tinu feels launching a team has been relatively the easier task but he believes they are ready to handle the pressure of developing it into a proper club in the coming seasons.

“It is just a humble start and we want to improve with every season. We believe if our vision is genuine likeminded people who are capable will come forward to support us. Just like any club owners will tell you we also want to go up the ladder but we believe that should not be by sacrificing our values. For us this club is a platform for talented footballers to arrive, get better and reach the next level.”

Former international Soly Xavier is FC Kochi’s head coach and he’ll be assisted by Sanal Kumar. The team currently trains at the Keezhmad Blind School ground near Aluva and has plans to move into a permanent training facility soon. They’ll play their home matches in the KPL in Kochi.