Kerala Blasters CEO disappointed with the lack of state government's support

Kerala Blasters FC CEO, Abhik Chatterjee, lamented the indifference of the state government to assist the football ecosystem.

In a recent interview with KhelNow TV, Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee expressed his displeasure over the lack of support for the club from the state government’s end. It is not a novel fact that the football ecosystem faces neglect from the establishment across the country. Those who are involved with the game in this country have repeatedly spoken about this absence of assistance from the government.

Kerala Blasters CEO highlighted the club’s contribution to community building and serving the people through multiple measures.

Talking about the club’s operations at the grassroots, he said, “We are providing a platform for local kids who have aspirations to represent the country. Children who have an aspiration to represent their state, we are giving them a pathway.”

For any institution to operate, especially in a fragile framework like Indian Football, it needs external assistance, in this case from the government. ISL clubs have invested a lot of money into the system without breaking even, and now, when they plan to make their grassroots system strong, they expect the state government to ease regulations and hold their hand in this journey.

He also talked about the employment opportunity that the club generates, besides shaping the dreams of the young generation who aim to take up football and represent their country on the global stage.

A club like Kerala Blasters, which receives massive support across the state, considers it a duty to give back and build an influential youth structure that can help the club to remain sustainable in the future and provide a platform to budding footballers.

Also Read: Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee unconvinced about Super Cup without clarity on ISL future

Building infrastructure not feasible in current circumstances

One of the most discussed aspects of the game in India is the lack of infrastructure. Clubs don’t have their own stadiums and they have to rely on state machinery to avail their infrastructure, like stadiums.

The KBFC CEO mentioned that building a stadium is a herculean task for an ISL club, as they are still in their infancy. Pumping in money north of 200 crores to start working on a massive infrastructure project like a stadium seems a far-fetched proposition.

Abhik emphasized that rather than looking to build their own stadiums, clubs are looking at creating other vital infrastructure, like a fully functional pitch, that can give them a kickstart on their journey to self-reliance. The lack of government support in helping them come up with these infrastructures is what frustrates the Kerala Blasters CEO.

“What we are asking for is not that give us a free stadium. We’re asking for some subsidies. If we save some, it’s only going back into the system”, commented Abhik Chatterjee.

Issues faced by the club over stadium management

Kerala Blasters have faced issues in the past when it comes to the stadium. Whether financial or logistical, hurdles keep resurfacing. Earlier this year, Kochi Corporation served a notice to the club demanding entertainment tax for matches at the Kaloor Stadium. The financial factor associated with the availability of the stadium does not help the cause, as it adds another expense to the inflated bills of the club.

Since the exclusive authority to manage the stadium is not with the club, logistical issues are plentiful. Damage to the turf is a recurring issue that hinders the football experience.

All these roadblocks cripple the ability of the clubs across India to conduct their operations smoothly. Those who are investing or who plan to invest in Football in India would hope that the landscape becomes hassle-free and they can at least break even, with some assistance from the government.

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