THE FEVER OF THE INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE (ISL) has already hit the country with the opening match between Northeast United and Kerala Blasters, both known to have a strong fan base. KBFC lost 0-1 but they are gearing up for their home match against Atletico de Kolkata tomorrow.
Now I've been following ISL since the inception, I remember how ecstatic I was back then (reason being didn't know I-League existed).
As a an avid Premier League follower (want to hate me more? yes I'm a Manchester United fan) I liked the prospect of getting foreign players and having a premier league kinda stuff back home.
I also remember during my blogging days how I wrote about ISL but then thanks to my internship at a leading news agency, I learnt about local & national football. This was where I encountered I-League (and now I know why Chiranjit, my colleague calls it a real league).
As a football follower I was happy to learn about the sport in the city I grew up. Then slowly I started going for I-League matches at the Cooperage Stadium. Loved to be part of the atmosphere that you would see on television happening miles away from you.
Now as I'm talking about I-League, I'll also share this. I was watching Sunil Chhetri play live for the first time in the match between Mumbai FC and Bengaluru FC. Now if you've been to Cooperage, you know how close you are to the action unfolding on the field.
I couldn't stop blushing as I whispered to my sister,
"Look, Chhetri is playing and I'm watching him up so close."
Yes I'm very close to Mumbai as I've lived all my life here (21-years-old at present). But as it's said you still feel connected to your motherland. I hail from Kerala, growing up I didn't like it for a reason I don't know.
But right now if you ask me, I love it just a little too much. Maybe because, there is something common between us, our 'Love for football'.
There were clubs from Kerala but by the time I grew up and started following Indian football, unfortunately there were none. So when the ISL dawned upon everyone, the proud mallu and a fan in me grew a soft heart towards Kerala Blasters (though I still dislike it being called blasters).
In the first season players like David James was part of the team which was like a cherry on the cake. But I still haven't be able to watch Kerala play live on their home ground (Kochi). Just to know what the word 'electrifying' feels like. To be part of that 63,000-64,000 crowd who are going beserk.
Kerala reached the finale and I was very happy as the final was held in Mumbai. Got the tickets with the help of a player but he belonged to Atletico de Kolkata, Kerala's opponents in the final. But the player belonged to Kerala. For some reason, I supported ATK and they went onto win the title (Phew!).
Second season began and I felt more closeness to Kerala and supported and spoke on their behalf on various occasions but it was a dreadful season to be a fan. It was a season that taught nothing is perfect even if you think it is!
Now I eagerly await the third edition, still loving and speaking highly of the team. Over the years, I've educated myself about Indian football so going gaga over it even more. There might be drawbacks to this tournament but once the on field action begins all that is forgotten because then the focus is only pure football.
All I hope is that Kerala Blasters, please don't disappoint me and those thousands of people in Kerala and all the mallus around the globe. The team once again looks strong on paper with the mix of experience and young players. Under Steve Coppell's guidance I do see light at the end of the tunnel this time.