Kottappadi Football Stadium, Malappuram

Kottappadi Football Stadium
Location	Down Hill, Malappuram
Operator	Malappuram District Sports Council
Capacity	8,000
Surface	Grass
Construction
Construction cost	$ 3 million
Architect	KITCO India
Tenants
	Kerala Premier League ;

Last updated September 01, 2024

Kottappadi Football Stadium, also known as Malappuram Stadium, is a historic football stadium in Malappuram, Kerala.^[1] It is under the management of Malappuram District Sports Council, located right at the heart of CBD of Malappuram. Malappuram is unequivocally considered to be the cradle of Indian football, and this stadium owns much of credit.^[2]

History

Malappuram has a long history with football, its bond with the game dates back to British colonial era in India. The historic Kottapadi Maidan or 'Kavathu Parambu' as it was called back then, has witnessed endless football battles between the natives and Britishers. Built first as a stud farm before Independence, it became a march-past ground for the British Army where they also played football that drew interest among the locals. Then people of the town grew up seeing the elders playing barefoot with the British army men in the ground, eventually going on to become a symbol of Malappuram’s football-centric culture.^[3] The stadium also has contributed many football players to national and state teams. Late Irumban Moideen who started playing at Kottappadi joined Royal Indian Air Force and represented India as well as Pakistan and was a team captain. International Moideenkutty, who played for the State in Santosh Trophy and Railways football team worn Indian jersey against Myanmar and Russia. Malappuram Azees, Former Santosh Trophy star M.R.C Chekku, Ali Akbar and Goalkeeper Manjakandan Aboobackar etc. are few others who made in to the fame league.

Events

Post Independence, the first official tournament reported to have been hosted by the stadium was the Moidu Memorial All-Kerala Football Tournament held in 1952. All-India Civil Service Tournament, Kerala Premier League, State Senior Football Championship and a slew of district, Malabar Premier League and state football championships were also organised here.

Coaching & practice

Currently Kerala Blasters FC Coaching center is stationed here^[4] along with city level coaching provided by Municipality. The stadium is home ground for Malappuram FC and was the practice turf for Gokulam FC.^[5] In the 2019–20 Kerala Premier League, the stadium served as home ground for Real Malabar FC & Luca Soccer Club.

Facilities

It has dressing rooms for two teams, rest rooms, referee rooms, VIP pavilion, two guest rooms and medical facilities. Stadium can accommodate 8,000 to 10,000 persons. Floodlights will be erected in the second phase of the renovation.^[6] And plans are there to increase the seating capacity so that bigger matches may be conducted.

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References

↑ Media, FWD (12 April 2017). "Rediscovering Football Glory of Kerala | Eyeing to make Gokulam FC the first professional club in Kerala". fwdbusiness.com. Kerala: FWD Business (March – April 2017 issue). Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
↑ "Where Malappuram Learned to Play Football- The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
↑ "Where Malappuram Learned to Play Football- The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
↑ "KBFC ISL Matches 2022, Team, Players || Kerala Blasters Football Club". 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
↑ Abraham K, Paul (20 February 2017). "In Malappuram, Gokulam FC brews a hope for Kerala's soccer fans". www.onmanorama.com. Kottayam: Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022.
↑ "Malappuram gets a revamped soccer stadium - KERALA - The Hindu". The Hindu. 27 May 2014.

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[1] Media, FWD (12 April 2017). "Rediscovering Football Glory of Kerala | Eyeing to make Gokulam FC the first professional club in Kerala". fwdbusiness.com. Kerala: FWD Business (March – April 2017 issue). Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.

[2] "Where Malappuram Learned to Play Football- The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.

[3] "Where Malappuram Learned to Play Football- The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.

[4] "KBFC ISL Matches 2022, Team, Players || Kerala Blasters Football Club". 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.

[5] Abraham K, Paul (20 February 2017). "In Malappuram, Gokulam FC brews a hope for Kerala's soccer fans". www.onmanorama.com. Kottayam: Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022.

[6] "Malappuram gets a revamped soccer stadium - KERALA - The Hindu". The Hindu. 27 May 2014.

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