Kottappadi Football Stadium, Malappuram

Last updated

Kottappadi Football Stadium
LocationDown Hill, Malappuram
OperatorMalappuram District Sports Council
Capacity 8,000
Surface Grass
Construction
Construction cost $ 3 million
ArchitectKITCO India
Tenants

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]

Contents

History

The historic Kottapadi Maidan or Kavathu Parambu as it was called back then, saw the elders playing barefoot with the British Army, eventually going on to become a symbol of Malappuram’s football-centric culture. [3] Late Irumban Moideen who started playing at Kottappadi joined Royal Indian Air Force and represented India.

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, Kerala State Club Football Championship, were notable competitions organised at the stadium.

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.

References

  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.