Sachin Tendulkar's Indian Super League Team Named 'Kerala Blasters'

The Kochi team for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, co-owned by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has been named 'Kerala Blasters.'

The name was announced by state chief minister Oommen Chandy after his brief meeting with Tendulkar in Thiruvanantapuram, Kerala on Tuesday.

Tendulkar also accepted Chandy's request to be Goodwill Ambassador of the National Games, to be held in Kerala in January-February 2015. Tendulkar, who was given a rousing reception at the airport and government secretariat, also called on Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, seeking support in his efforts to promote football. After meeting Chandy in his chamber, a beaming Tendulkar said he was "overwhelmed and speechless" at the love and affection showered on him by Keralites.

On the team's name, he said: "People call me Master Blaster... One can say there is possibly an association," he said. Tendulkar said though he grew up playing cricket, not many know that he enjoyed other sports as well. "I grew up playing cricket... Very few people knew that I enjoy other sports like hockey, football and badminton."

He said the Indian Super League would definitely give a boost to football in the country.