Malappuram: Taking the football legacy of Malappuram to the next level, the Malabar Special Police (MSP) of Kerala Police has launched a professional football academy. The academy has a two star recognition by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the apex body for football administration in the country. Former Indian skipper I.M. Vijayan is the chief coach of the academy. The academy was launched jointly by Vijayan, former Indian player U. Sharafali and former Kerala captain Kurikesh Mathew who is also the deputy commandant of MSP, Malappuram, at a function held here on Monday. Sharafali and Mathew are the chief patrons of the academy.
The academy is aimed at nurturing budding footballers in the Malabar region. The promoters of the academy said that it was an extension of the achievements of the football team of the MSP Higher Secondary School which had been representing Kerala in the Under 17 category of the Subroto Cup football tournament during the past seven years. The expected annual budget of the academy is Rs 1.5 crore and will raise the funds with the support of sponsors. The MSP football ground will be made the home ground of the academy and will utilise the existing infrastructure facilities such as gymnasium and hospital at the MSP headquarters in Malappuram town. The academy has also appointed expert coaches, physiotherapists and trainers.
