Malappuram (Kerala): Over 200 foreign football players, who reached India to play Sevens football tournaments by different clubs in Malabar, remain stranded in different parts of Malappuram district in Kerala, as the season’s sevens tournaments have all been cancelled due to COVID-19.
The sevens season in Malabar is a major revenue for these foreign players who spin magic on Malabar’s football grounds. Unfortunately, this year’s season has been cancelled after a few tournaments that happened earlier, badly affecting their revenue.
With the COVID-19 lockdown continuing stringently, especially in the Malabar region, the players are totally confined to where they are and cannot get back to their native countries. The players’ sponsors and managers sought the State government to interfere and arrange for their safe return amid the crisis.
Like in the Malayalam movie ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ based on the theme of foreign players brought in for local football tournaments in Malabar, these ‘Sudus’ (fondly called so in the movie) are provided with food, accommodation, and all facilities. They are being taken care of very well by their respective team managers, sponsors and the Sevens Football Association. However, most of them are longing to get back to their home countries and join their families, as they are worried about the pandemic crisis all over the world.
Most of the foreign players reaching Malappuram belong to the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Liberia. The players reach India during the seven’s football season from December through June. They are paid at the rate of Rs 3000 per tournament.
“Food and accommodation are being provided by the association and the sponsors. Only the Government can interfere and help these players reach their home countries,” said the team managers.
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