2023-06-04 20:30:00
Kozhikode: Three consecutive National Women’s League titles, two-time I-League champions and Durand Cup winners. Gokulam Kerala FC in six years. All these are achieved. Achievements that no other football club in Kerala could achieve.
However, after winning the hat-trick title in the women’s league, a decision of the Kozhikode Corporation came as a shock to the club. Corporation stadium for matches and training should not be renewed!
The corporation alleged that the Gokulam stadium was not maintained as per the contract. However, the Gokulam management says that they have spent around Rs.1 crore on repairs. The management has indicated that if the stadium is not available, the club will have to close down. In any case, the future of the proud club of Kerala is now in the balance.
About eight crore rupees are spent annually on the club. Many Malayalam stars are given an opportunity. However, Gokulam FC asked if this is the message that Kerala is sending to those who invest in football. President V.C. Praveen asks.
? How the corporation views the decision
It was a decision of the corporation that totally shocked us. Gokulam is a team that has won two I-League titles and three women’s titles. Represented India in both men’s and women’s categories at the Asian Club Championship. Every season we give opportunity to more Kerala players. In five years, at least 30 players from Kerala have been featured in the league and AFC. Competitions were also given a chance.
Most of them are from Malabar region. There were seven Malayalees in the women’s league team. But when they returned home after winning the title, they got not a congratulatory note from the government but the news that there was no stadium to play in.
? The corporation says that the stadium was not maintained as per the contract
One complaint was that floodlights were not installed in the stadium. First of all, nobody in the world uses this system. Even if all the bulbs are replaced, the bulbs will stop working after two months as the whole system will fail. Bulbs that are damaged after a rainy season are difficult to replace every year.
Whenever I-League matches were played here, extra lights were used. The corporation has asked to hand over the defective system and repair it.
The stadium building itself has construction defects. Corporation alleges manufacturing defect on our behalf.
Governments are helping football grow in Kolkata, Odisha and Goa. My request here is not to help but not to harm.
? What are the future plans?
A petition was given to the chief minister and others against the corporation’s action. The corporation is ready to talk to the authorities. The club has received invitations from many other states. But prefers to stay in Kerala. If this is not the case, the club will have to cease operations.
Clubs want their own ground – KFA
: Kerala Football Association (KFA) President P. Gokulam can play matches including I-League at the Corporation Stadium. Anil Kumar said. Clubs have to spend a lot of money to maintain big stadiums. To avoid this, clubs like Gokulam need to find their own ground for training. Matches can also be held in the main stadium. Kozhikode Corporation Stadium should be developed to host club matches and international matches. KFA to give the proposal for the same. ready
The problem should be solved -U. Sharafali
: State Sports Council President and former Indian player U. Sharafali said. It is a team that has given proud achievements to Kerala. Therefore, the existence of the club is necessary for the growth of Kerala football.
Not repaired -Mayor
Mayor Beena Philip said that the Gokulam authorities were unwilling to repair the stadium during the Super Cup football season. The Corporation could not afford to pay for the work to be done by Gokulam as per the contract. In this situation, it was decided not to renew the contract.
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