Kerala gets I-League team
From the bids submitted, the bid evaluation committee decided to award Sree Gokulam group the right to field its team in the Hero I-League season 2017-18 onward.
Published : Sep 20, 2017 19:26 IST
AIFF bid evaluation Committee met at the AIFF HQ in New Delhi on Wednesday to evaluate the bids submitted after a tendering process was initiated last month.
From the bids submitted, the bid evaluation committee decided to award Sree Gokulam group the right to field its team in the Hero I-League season 2017-18 onward.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome a new Kerala team from Sree Gokulam group to the Hero I-League from the 2017-18 season”, AIFF general secretary, Mr. Kushal Das stated.
The team will be playing its home matches out of Calicut, Kerala.
Mr. Das added, “I hope the club would be able to ignite the passion of Kerala football in Calicut where they will be playing from.”
Hero I-League CEO, Mr. Sunando Dhar also sounded ‘happy’ with the inclusion. “We would like to congratulate Sree Gokulam group on winning the bid. It has been our endeavour to have corporate teams come into the Hero I-League and the team from Kerala will open a new market for the league.”
“It will be beneficial to both the Hero I-League as well as Indian football. And I’m sure the passionate football fans of Kerala will be delighted to have a team of their own", Mr. Dhar added.
The Sree Gokulam group lead side be the second I-League side from Kerala. Chirag United Club Kerala also known as Viva Kerala Football Club previously represented the state in India’s top-tier league. The club dissolved in 2012.