Indian Super League: Sachin Tendulkar confident of Kerala Blasters' success in second edition
Kerala Blasters co-owner Sachin Tendulkar proud to be part of the Indian Super League team. Hopes his boys would do better in the second edition, starting on October 3.
Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, co-owner Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Kerala Blasters, on Wednesday lauded his team members for their show in the inaugural edition of the tournament. He hoped that they would perform better in the second edition of the franchise-based league, staring on October 3. (Mumbai City FC announce final squad)
The Blasters were impressive during the inaugural 2014 ISL and eventually finished runners-up. On Wednesday, the team's jersey was unveiled in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the officials of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, who continues to be the principal sponsors for the second year in succession. (ISL teams concerned over huge loss in inaugural edition)
After unveiling the yellow-coloured team jersey, Tendulkar said he always believed in the colour yellow. The entire Kerala Blasters team was present on the occasion.
"In the inaugural season, none of us knew how it would go. As the tournament progressed, we gained confidence that our game was attractive enough to bring people to the stadium," said Tendulkar.
"Slowly, we started to win the hearts of people because of the way we carried forward. We have a highly talented side and I have no doubt that this season our confidence level is high after training hard and the results will show."
"Please continue to support and love us. We are going to give our best and this time we are going to better our performance," added Tendulkar who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday afternoon and left immediately after the event.
Chandy thanked Tendulkar for holding Kerala in high esteem. "We are indebted to him (Tendulkar) as he was the goodwill ambassador for the National Games that was held here early this year and also for his role in the Kerala Blasters," said Chandy.
The seven home matches of the Kerala Blasters will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi with the first match to be held on October 6 against NorthEast United F.C. The team is coached by former England U-21 manager Peter Taylor and its marquee player is former Spanish midfielder Carlos Marchena.