"Maitanam” (Malayalam for the playground), the documentary by Fifa and RISE Worldwide that attempts to showcase Kerala's bond with the beautiful game is a mere toe dip because it is so difficult to capture the heartbeat of football fans or those dreaming to turn their passion into profession.
The documentary tells six inspirational stories to project how football is a way of life in Kerala. There is that coastal 'Santosh Trophy village south of the capital Thiruvananthapuram where every youngster wants to emulate his neighbour who has played for the state in the national championship.
Be it playing football on the beach barefoot along the length of the state or the sevens version that is the soul of the game in Kerala, especially in the north, they all find mention.
The manjappada (yellow army fans) of ISL team Kerala Blasters or the 30,000 who trooped into a stadium in the middle of nowhere to watch Kerala beat Bengal in the Santosh Trophy final in Manjeri (in the northern district of Malappuram) is in the here and now. If these celebrations capture the fans' heartbeat, wait for a few more months.
This story is from the May 06, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
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This story is from the May 06, 2022 edition of Hindustan Times.
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