voldemort

With the introduction of 20-20’s in Cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC) managed to put new lease of life into a sport, which had not done much to climb up the popularity rankings over the years. The shorter version of the game seems to be more enthralling.
The world’s most popular game, Soccer is not too behind in this innovative fervor. The 7’s tournament in Kerala is one such outcome, although innovation, sadly, is not the only reason for staging the tournament.
The 7’s Football Association of Kerala, is a committee not aligned with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) or the Football Association of Kerala, much like what The Indian Cricket League (ICL) is to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or ICC.
Any group interested to stage such a tournament can conduct it with prior approval from the 7’s association. However, they can only invite clubs affiliated to the 7’s football body. A fixture is laid out depending on the number of teams participating. A tournament will have 14 to 32 teams participating in it.
As the name implies, it is played between teams with 7 players (plus three substitutes) on each side similar in the lines of Thailand’s “Bangkok International Soccer 7’s”.
Unlike traditional football league norms, there is no compulsion for the players to have a contract for a club. So, in this way, a club can hire better players at any point in the tournament, if they have the funds.
The rules are the same vis-à-vis the bigger version of the game with obvious minor alteration. Usually, a tournament is based on knock-outs but round-robin feature is also prevalent.
An interesting rule is that a red-carded player can be substituted which makes this game more intense.
Currently, the 7’s tournament is underway throughout Kerala, primarily in the football crazy Malapuram district (Malabar region). Trichur and Calicut (Kozhikode) are the other prime places where this version of the game is popular.
The tourney is usually organized at the end of the year when the paddy fields are cleared of the recent harvest. The football field is set and wooden galleries are built for the spectators. The tournament attracts an overwhelming number of football fans with as much as 3000 to 5000 people coming to witness the game. For this, the spectators are charged a very nominal fee of Rs 10 to Rs 25.
If a big name of Indian football is taking part in the upcoming game, the organizers do a good job of advertising via microphone or hoardings to lure more people to the stadium.
A match is played every night and it usually commences at around 7:30 - 8 pm IST under floodlights. This timing is appropriate for attracting people from all divisions of economic background.
Economically, football is weak in Kerala and the players aren’t well paid, even if they are playing for national clubs. With this tournament, a decent player earns Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 a day for a match. The time is also convenient for the players. After finishing their daily chores, the players can earn as well as relish the excitement of their favorite game.
Black and White Calicut and Gymkhana, Trichur are amongst the best team in the tournament currently underway in the Malabar circuit. Amongst the big names affiliated to the 7’s body, IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri who are playing for Sastha, Thrissur figure at the top of the list.
The AIFF and state football associations should look into these tournaments and bodies as not merely a rival faction but as a pioneering step to raise the standards of football in India. More tournaments should be organized, young talents should be unearthed, soccer must be “advertised” and the overall development work should be portrayed.
One might argue that it is easier said then done but when there are lots of things happening, something good is bound to happen. And yes, it is better than not trying at all.

source:goal.com