Kerala football fans want Sachin Tendulkar to bid for Kochi in Indian Super League

New Delhi Sachin Tendulkar has mesmerised millions of cricket fans during his 24yearlong illustrious international career and the Indian batting legend has now become the source of hope for some young sports enthusiasts this time from football in KeralaA group of 16 young football fans under the banner of World Malayalee Football Fans Association has begun a social media campaign in favour of Tendulkar bidding for Kochi franchise in the Indian Super League football tournament scheduled to be held in SeptemberOctoberReports have been doing the rounds that Tendulkar may bid for the Kochi team one of the likely franchises of the muchanticipated ISL an IPLstyle football league to be organised by IMGRelianceSachin Tendulkar PicSuresh KKRijni John a telecommunication professional from a town near Kasaragod and the brain behind the campaign said Tendulkar could be the godsend for the revival of football in Kerala if he happens to buy a Kochibased team in the ISLWe have been praying that the God of cricket himself gets involved in the ISL We read news reports that Tendulkar may bid for Kochi franchise in ISL along with PVP Ventures We dont know the exact position but we are hoping that he actually buys the franchise That will be the godsend for the revival of football in Kerala John told PTI over phone from KeralaThe deadline for buying invitation to bid tenders had expired on March 27 and bid winners for the eightfranchise tournament are likely to be announced in a few daysThe Facebook page Sachin Irro Sachin For Kerala Campaign says the initiative is an online promotion to show support for Sachin Tendulkars bid for Kerala team in the upcoming Indian Super LeagueI started the facebook page on April 3 to drum up support among football fans for Tendulkars bid for Kochi franchise in ISL Since then around 600 football fans and corporate groups have joined our group said the 30yearold John a B Tech degree holder John said if Tendulkar gets involved in Kochi franchise it will do wonders for the revival of football in Kerala once a nursery of Indian football and provider of several national team players including the legendary I M VijayanA Kochibased team in the ISL with Tendulkar brand in it will do wonders at a higher level of football in Kerala But more important aspect will be his involvement at the grassroot level said JohnThere are lots of untapped talent at the grassroot level in Kerala and I read that any franchise in the ISL will have to put in place a robust grassroot programmeTendulkar has been a proven and successful sportsperson a famous and known face throughout the country and he can really inspire children from the villages and schools to take up football In that way we want to tap the talent from the villages and hinterland so that Kerala can reclaim the lost glory in football he saidTendulkar can see by himself how much grassroot talent Kerala has and if he is buying the Kochi team in the ISL we will definitely invite him to visit the villages and interact with young talents John saidWorld Malayalee Football Fans Association was set up last year to help talented grassrootlevel players get sponsorsHe said the association has corporate members besides individuals in India and abroadWe are a sort of via media or facilitators for young talents to get sponsors and support We dont give financial support to the youngsters or hold tournaments But we identify talent and then try to get sponsors from business houses or other sources he saidWe also work for providing coaches for children in the villages say for 15 days or a month The cost for hiring coaches will be borne by corporates or companiesI feel there are people and corporate houses which are ready to sponsor the young talents Only coordination is lacking and we want to do just that