Shri K.V. Thomas, Member of Parliament
Shri Prabhu Chawla, Editorial Director, The New Indian Express Shri Terry Phelan, Kerala Blasters Coach & former Ireland International Player
Smt. Soumini Jain, Mayor, Kochi City
Shri Mohammed Safirulla, Collector, Ernakulam
Shri Vinod Mathew, Resident Editor, The New Indian Express
Shri Vishnu Kumar, Deputy GM, The New Indian Express
My dear young Foot ball players,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to address this very energetic and youthful gathering at Maharaja's College Ground, Ernakulam, waiting for GOAL 2018, the All Kerala Inter Collegiate Football Tournament to be kicked off.
I understand that this is the seventh edition of GOAL and that it carries the biggest prize-money among all football tournaments in Kerala. What is more important is that all players in GOAL 2018 are treated like professionals in the sport.
Let me therefore, compliment the management and staff of The New Indian Express for organizing this tournament for the students of Kerala. I see this as a laudable endeavor to brighten India's prospects in football by identifying promising players from among the students and introducing them to the national scenario. This event also shows the newspaper’s commitment towards the game, stepping out of the sports page, into the real playground and society.
As we all know, Kerala was the first to form a professional football club in India and the people, especially those in North Kerala have always been very passionate about the game. Today's tournament also recognizes the Keralite's evergreen passion for football, even in these times of cricket fever.
I also congratulate all the contesting teams representing 24 different colleges in the State. Being the Chancellor of the Universities in Kerala, I would call them my students and remind them that both victory and failure can encourage us to do better the next time. Playing well is what always matters, even more than the prize money.
Though education has priority in your age, 'all work and no play', would make anyone dull and unsuccessful in life. Swamy Vivekananda, in one of his lectures once said that young people would understand philosophy better with stronger muscles and a stronger body.
The game of football engages you physically, benefits your health, improves your speed and alertness and above all, in a wonderful lesson in Team work. You would have observed how
Shri I.M. Vijayan, the pride of Indian football, moved on the playground to score one of the fastest international goals in just 12 seconds. We have others like the late V.P. Sathyan and Shri C.V. Pappachan whose alertness and team work scored many victories. We are waiting to see some of you rising to that level in football. I hope this tournament would be your launch pad to that success.
I once again wish all the young players a successful future both in football and in your chosen fields of activity.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
