Kochi: Players, coach and supporting staff of Kerala football team who ended a 14-year title drought by clinching their sixth Santosh Trophy were felicitated with gold medals by Malayala Manorama on Monday.
The full squad comprising 20 players, coach, assistant coach, physio and manager were presented one sovereign gold medal each by editorial director Mathews Varghese at a function held at the Malayala Manorama office in Panampilly Nagar.
The team arrived at the Manorama office after attending a felicitation ceremony organised by the Kerala Football Association (KFA) at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor.
“There are many in this squad who have played football only at the inter-collegiate level, but they all performed like experienced campaigners and scored spectacular goals. Overall it was a great team effort,” captain Rahul V Raj said.
“This is the greatest achievement in my footballing career. The odds were heavily stacked against us when we took on West Bengal in the final. We had never won a final against them and all our previous losses were in the penalty shootout. What made this victory remarkable and all the more sweet was we were able to humble Bengal on penalties in their own backyard. Senior players were not ignored while picking the final squad. Young blood is infused into the team hoping for a turnaround in fortunes. I’m happy that the strategy has brought about the desired result,” said head coach Satheevan Balan.
KFA president K M I Mathar appreciated Manorama’s continued support for the development of football in state.
A football-shaped calendar sponsored by Radio Mango was also presented to the team members.
Malayala Manorama sports editor Anil Radhakrishnan, and special correspondent Antony John also spoke on the occasion.
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