Category: Club News

With football season in full swing across India, here’s a look at how the respective seasons of the Club’s loaned players are shaping up currently.

Bijoy Varghese (CB) I-League : Games: 2 | Playing Time: 166 minutes (Inter Kashi)
Young center-back with playing experience within the Kerala Blasters’ first team is currently out on loan leading the defensive line of the newest I-League club side Inter Kashi, adding to his game time and exposure.

Mohammed Saheef (LB) I-League: Games: 2 | Playing Time: 180 minutes (Gokulam Kerala FC)

Saheef a lanky agile full-back who has shown promise through his rise from Kerala Blasters’ development system is currently on a loan tenure with Gokulam Kerala FC gaining the necessary match minutes to hone his skills and continue his growth as a footballer.

Justine Emmanuel (RW) I-League: Games: 2 | Goals: 1 | Playing Time: 38 minutes (Gokulam Kerala FC)

The Nigerian winger who impressed everyone with his brief stint within the KBFC first team at this year’s Durand Cup is already grabbing attention with his impact in the limited game time he has had at Gokulam Kerala FC.
In Gokulam’s fixture against NEROCA last evening, Justine struck his first I-League goal and even earned his team a penalty, adding more anticipation to see how the rest of his season takes shape.

Muhammad Ajsal (CF) – Yet To Play (Inter Kashi)
The talented forward with a habit of finding the back of the net in the developmental football circles is yet to get his first opportunity to enter the field for Inter Kashi, however, it is only a matter of time before this talent from Kozhikode makes his presence felt.

Sagolsem Bikash Singh (LW) – Durand Cup: Games : 3 | Goals: 1 | Playing Time: 229 minutes

I-League: Games: 1 | Playing Time: 44 minutes (Mohammedan SC)

Bikash one of Kerala Blasters’ local signings this year is currently playing an important role in the midfield of Kolkata-based club Mohammedan SC.
He had an impressive outing with the club in this year’s Durand Cup and now would be looking to replicate his performances in the I-League season.

Great news for Indian football fans in the Middle East. Young Blasters Sporthood Academy (YBSA), the grassroots and youth development arm of Kerala Blasters FC has launched its operations in Qatar. With this launch, kids living in Qatar get a chance to get trained as well as scouted to be part of the Youth development system set up by Sporthood in association with Kerala Blasters FC.
The initiative launched in partnership with Blaster Sports Centre, the country partner for Qatar, has started operations in two turfs at the moment. “Our vision is to ensure that we build a pathway for Indian kids playing in Qatar to get an entry into ISL,” says Sippy Jose, Managing Director, Blaster Sports Center. In a short span of 3 weeks, the academy has crossed 150 registrations and aims to open many more centers across Doha.
“Today we train 5000+ kids across 125+ locations in India. Some of them are in partnership with schools, some with turfs, public grounds, etc. We aim to follow the same strategy in Qatar as well” says Rahul Thomas, Cofounder & CEO, Sporthood.

Schools/turfs interested in partnering with YBSA can reach out to us at http://www.blastersqatar.com/partnerships

Sahal Abdul Samad’s growth both with the club and the national squad is a testament to the quality of footballing talent available in the Middle East. As a club, KBFC is very serious about talent development in the region and we stay committed to the vision of building a bridge for talent to flow from the Middle East to India.

Nikhil Bharadwaj, Director KBFC.

Post setting up the network in Qatar, KBFC and Sporthood plan to expand their presence to other GCC countries as well. Local businesses interested in joining the mission to become country partners of other GCC countries can reach out to us at www.sporthood.in/partner_with_us

Age & skill appropriate training
At Young Blasters Sporthood Academy, kids are trained according to an age & skill-appropriate curriculum whetted by the technical experts at KBFC. Kids learn and progress between batches at their own pace, while falling in love with the beautiful game.

Crafting dreams, one kick at a time
The YBSA system gives ample opportunity for talented youngsters who wish to pursue excellence in football. Kids who enroll with the system in Qatar get access to the entire talent development pyramid which has been built out in India as well, including admissions to our Elite Squads and Residential Academies.

150 Registrations and Counting!
We’re thrilled to announce that in just three weeks, we’ve crossed a significant milestone of more than 150 registrations! This overwhelming response is a testament to the trust and enthusiasm of the expat Indian community living in Qatar.

For all the latest updates on our academy, coaching programs, and upcoming events,
visit our official website at www.blastersqatar.com or reach out to us at +974 3348 1833.
Instagram channel: www.instagram.com/ybsaqatar

Kerala Blasters wish to express our deep disappointment and concern with a regrettable incident that occurred during our opening match against Bengaluru FC.

It has come to our attention that during the match, one of our players was subjected to a disrespectful gesture by a Bengaluru FC player. We want to make it abundantly clear that there is absolutely no room for racist and derogatory behaviour in our Club and in the sport. Racism, discrimination, and disrespectful actions have no place on the football pitch or anywhere else.

We have filed an official complaint with the appropriate authorities, urging them to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. We trust that the authorities will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and take the necessary steps to address it appropriately. We also call upon our good colleagues at Bengaluru FC to take appropriate action.

Football is a sport that unites people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is a platform for mutual respect. We remain committed to promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect in football and in our Club.

Kerala Blasters FC can confirm that the following players have been loaned for the upcoming season:
Bijoy Varghese (CB) – Inter Kashi
Givson Singh (CM) – Odisha FC
Justine Emmanuel (ST) – Gokulam Kerala
Muhammed Saheef (LB) – Gokulam Kerala

Keeping in mind the growth and progression of players, the coaching staff felt the loan moves will the players with the necessary exposure and match experience required at this point in their careers.

The Club would like to wish all the players the very best for their loan spells.

Kochi, August 24, 2023: Kerala Blasters Football Club announces its partnership with Asian Paints, India’s leading paint and decor company, as the Official Paint Partner for the upcoming Hero Indian Super League 2023/2024. With this partnership, the Asian Paints logo will be displayed on the undercollar of the team’s jersey. This exciting collaboration marks a new chapter for both organizations and reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Commenting on the association, Amit Syngle, MD & CEO, Asian Paints Limited, said ‘We’re thrilled to be associated with Kerala Blasters FC for the upcoming Indian Super League Season. This marks our second partnership with the team, and we take great pride in collaborating with such a formidable club in the tournament. At Asian Paints, we believe in fostering and supporting the sporting culture in India, and football holds a special place in this endeavour. The Indian Super League has played a key role in elevating the popularity of football across the nation, and we eagerly look forward to the forthcoming season. Our heartiest wishes to Kerala Blasters FC for this upcoming season!’

Commenting on the association, Nikhil Bhardwaj, Director, Kerala Blasters Football Club, said, “It is our pleasure to partner with a great brand like Asian Paints. We thank them for placing their trust in Kerala Blasters and thoroughly look forward to having a successful & colourful partnership together.”

The collaboration between Kerala Blasters FC and Asian Paints goes beyond the realm of sports. It demonstrates a commitment to creating a vibrant sporting culture and building deeper connections with communities in India.

About Asian Paints Limited:
Since its foundation in 1942, Asian Paints has come a long way to become India’s leading and Asia’s second largest paint company, with a consolidated turnover of ₹ 34,489 crores (₹ 345 billion). Asian Paints operates in 15 countries and has 27 paint manufacturing facilities in the world, servicing consumers in over 60 countries. Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating and introducing new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Safe Painting Service, Colour Next and Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Stores. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints for Decorative and Industrial use for interior and exterior walls. Their portfolio also includes SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes and Adhesives range for all surfaces. The company is also present in the “Home Improvement and Decor segment” and offers bath and kitchen products. The company also introduced lighting, furnishings, and furniture in its portfolio and offers a range of safe and supervised painting and interior design services.

The Club can confirm that striker Muhammad Ajsal will join Hero I-League team Inter Kashi on a season-long loan deal. Having earned a maiden call-up to the senior team this pre-season, this move will see Ajsal continue his development with the necessary competitive match-time and experience.

Everybody at the Club would like to wish Ajsal the best of luck on his loan spell with Inter Kashi.

As the curtain closes on the first leg of preseason, the excitement is palpable in the air as KBFC embarked on an exhilarating first month of preseason training, igniting their preparations for the imminent Durand Cup.

Under the watchful guidance of the coaching staff, led by the head coach and his support team, the players dedicated themselves to a rigorous regimen of training sessions, cultivating essential skills, refining tactical prowess, and forging team cohesion.

In a series of friendly matches against local clubs Maharajas College and Kovalam FC, the Blasters aimed to fine-tune strategies, grant playing time to players, and explore various technical and tactical combinations. Central to the training camp’s agenda was the cultivation of match fitness – high-intensity drills, endurance conditioning, and simulated matches were rigorously employed to ensure optimal physical

preparedness while minimizing injury risks. Noteworthy individual performances highlighted both new signings’ seamless integration and emerging talents’ promising potential, promising a dynamic blend of experience and youthful vigor.

Beyond the pitch, the camaraderie among teammates blossomed, fostering unity through shared experiences and team-building activities. As the first month concluded, Kerala Blasters stand on the cusp of intensifying their preparations, poised to enter the Durand Cup arena with unwavering determination, a united front, and a well-honed game plan, ready to showcase their progress.

The team has already touched down in Kolkata and had their first set of training sessions. The Blasters will face Gokulam Kerala FC in their opening encounter on August 13.

The Club would like to inform that forward Jaushua Sotirio suffered an ankle injury during a training session a few days ago.

While the exact time frame for his full return is yet to be confirmed, upon initial assessment, Jaushua is likely to remain out of action until 2024. Our medical team, in collaboration with external specialists, will work diligently to provide him with the best possible care and support, ensuring his safe and efficient return to the field.

During his absence, we trust that our fans and supporters will continue to show their unwavering support for Sotirio.

We remain committed to Jaushua’s well-being and recovery, and we will provide updates on his progress as he works towards returning to full fitness.

The Club is thrilled to announce that goalkeeper Sachin Suresh has signed a three-year contract with Kerala Blasters FC until 2026.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who marked his first team debut earlier this year in the Hero Super Cup 2023, came through the youth system of the Club. Having represented the Reserves, on several instances even as captain, in the Reliance Foundation Development League, the NextGen Cup in UK, and the Kerala Premier League over the last few years, Sachin has impressed with his consistency, hunger, attitude, and ability.

Sachin, who has already represented India at the U-17 and U-20 levels, was already training with the senior team for the last few years in a developmental role. Sachin’s impressive performances in the Hero Super Cup 2023 is a great indication of his growth with the Club over the last few years and a testament to his commitment in showing the right attitude & patience.

Commenting on the extension, Karolis Skinkys, Kerala Blasters Sporting Director, said:

“Sachin has been with us for some time now and this extension is a reflection of his hard work, attitude, skill & temperament. I believe Sachin has the mentality it takes to perform & succeed at the most competitive levels, and one day captain this great Club. We see him as a very bright prospect and hence, the decision to back him with a long-term contract was clear. Now, he needs to keep his head down, stay humble, and keep working.”

As the Club looks ahead to an exciting future, the contract extension of Sachin Suresh serves as a promising sign of the club’s commitment to developing local talent and building a formidable team. The organization remains dedicated to providing an environment that nurtures growth, while also aiming to provide an exceptional sporting experience for all stakeholders across the country.

Excitement and anticipation are prevalent throughout the Kerala Blasters FC camp as the player arrivals for the pre-season camp of 2023–24 have officially begun in Kochi as of July 10, 2023.

The first batch of players and team staff that arrived late Monday evening were elated to see each other after a long gap. Some of the other players and coaching staff who are yet to arrive are expected to join the camp in the coming days.

Once the pre-season camp kicks off, the squad will start practising and preparing themselves for the challenges of the upcoming season, with the Durand Cup immediately on the team’s radar.

Watch this space for more in-depth details and news related to the Club