Valiyathura loses out on football

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the new wave of Sevens Football League slowly gains prominence in the district, Valiyathura has lost the edge with no quality ground and sandy beaches for budding talents, lament local players. There used to be a time when Valiyathura was a leading force in producing football talents from coastal Thiruvananthapuram. It was the hub of footballers from neighbouring areas like Cheriyathura, Beemapally and Vettucaud.

Not fewer than 150 players, including women from the Valiyathura area, have secured jobs in various departments like KSEB, AGS, RBI and the defence-paramilitary forces. Today, fishing hamlets like Pozhiyoor and Poovar have stolen the show. In the process, they have become more influential in Thiruvananthapuram District Football Association (TDFA).

 "Own ground is crucial in attracting local talents. We have lost around 60 metres of our ground to sea erosion. There is a land that belongs to St Antony's church that we could have used. It is also entangled in legal issues," said Martin Pereira, secretary of Coastal Football Club and a former player of Travancore Titanium Products Ltd. His father Patrick Pereira played a crucial role in establishing Valiyathura Football Association (VFA) which was registered in 1972. In the last decade also Valiyathura had several U-16, U-19 Kerala players, including Shabin Simon and Charles Pereira.

"There are a lot of unsung players who once played for departments and work as drivers and fishermen. Many stay abroad," Pererira added. Ebin Rose, former Santosh Trophy winning team player says that urbanisation and parental pressure had dented the football culture of Valiyathura. "Many parents look at the scope of employment for their children through football. They will discourage children seeing no future," said Rose, the coach of Kovalam Football Club.