In Kerala, football is one sport that is admired by almost every one. Every game in any part of the world is followed by ardent fans, who even stay up all night to watch live streaming of football matches wherever they happen. And now, the Chelsea FC has given Kerala yet another reason to shower their love on football.
Soccer powerhouse Chelsea FC has made a virtual tour of Kerala’s backwater paradise Alappuzha, and has lauded the beauty of the land. “The beauty of Kerala! The Blues visit the scenic backwater of Alleppey as part of the virtual tour”, was the caption of a virtual image posted by Chelsea FC on Instagram showing its two players – Reece James and Enzo Fernandez – standing on the bow of a houseboat in Alappuzha. The image also has Kai Havertz looking on to his team mates from not so far. See the Instagram post here.
Chelsea Instagram post on beauty of Kerala goes viral
As the Instagram image went viral, Kerala Tourism shared its happiness and love as it realised the image by the football heroes come as a major boost to the efforts it has been undertaking to promote travel to Kerala. Tourism Minister of Kerala PA Mohamed Riyas went a step further, and extended an invitation to the Chelsea FC for a ‘real’ tour of God’s own Country where football is loved as much as life.
“Don’t just make it virtual tour. Make it real. A hearty welcome to God’s Own Country, where football is loved as much as life. Enjoy Alleppey, Venice of the East”, Riyas posted on Instagram, extending the state’s invitation to the Premier League Club.
He has also stated that it was great to see that one of world’s most-followed football clubs making a virtual tour of Kerala and acknowledging its unparalleled beauty. Kerala Tourism will host the visitors as its most valued guests and take them around the state which has many joys in store including die-hard football fans.
Chelsea commands a good fan following in the state, where football is the most watched and played sport, blurring social and rural-urban divides, the Minister said. Chelsea choosing Kerala as a place of remarkable beauty will further strengthen the state’s global connect, especially with the soccer-lovers from all continents. The UK is already a big market for Kerala Tourism, Riyas added.
Fans look forward to football players’ arrival
The image, which went viral, also elicited a lot of appreciative comments with fans urging the Blues to make a real tour of the state. Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, accompanied by his wife Lalla, had joined the world premiere of a three-minute film on Kerala, ‘Your Moment is waiting,’ at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea in September 2010.
“Kerala is a dream place” said Drogba then, after the screening. Former England striker and Golden Boot winner Gary Linekar, who also watched the film then, had said, “Kerala is a place you want to go.” Kerala’s football fans will now wait to know if the invitation by the state will be accepted by the Chelsea FC players.
