After profit-making tour of UAE, Kerala Blasters look at invites from Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Panaji: Kerala Blasters FC travelled to United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their pre-season in August this year, and despite not everything going according to plan, ended up making a profit.
Blasters had lined-up three friendlies against Al-Nasr SC, Dibba FC and Hatta Club in August. But these games had to be cancelled due to the ban imposed on India by FIFA, the governing body for world football.
Blasters continued with their pre-season in UAE, and once the ban was lifted, arranged friendlies with UAE First Division side Al Jazira Al Hamra FC.
Encouraged by the success of the UAE tour, Blasters are now looking at other invitations in the Gulf, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“The brand building is an important part. It’s why we were in the UAE (for pre-season). Fortunately, we delivered a profit-making pre-season which is a first for us. It’s very encouraging. It’s not just Dubai that we want to be. We have invites from Saudi (Arabia), Qatar, and want to keep building on it to try and open up as many avenues,” Blasters director Nikhil Bhardwaj told TOI.
Blasters have had the highest attendances for home games in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season with the Nehru Stadium in Kochi attracting plenty of fans. The club’s performance – qualification to the playoffs for the second year in a row – has helped. But while there have been calls for the club to explore other venues in the state, Blasters are unlikely to move away from their home in Kochi.
“For the ISL, I would very much see us being in Kochi,” said Nikhil. “It’s central, and it’s important to be here from a facility and commercial point of view. It’s a bigger city. Sponsors are also a big part. We have a record number of sponsors and all of them want to be here. It’s fairly accessible.”
Blasters, though, are expected to play friendlies in Kozhikode and Thiruvanthapuram.
“We actually had two games lined up in Trivandrum and Calicut this year, post Dubai (tour) but the (India) ban happened at a very unfortunate time for us. We had to stay longer in Dubai to ensure that we get the games we had travelled for. Then, the calendar could not work.
“Those plans are now very much in place, maybe even post-season, now. Nothing confirmed. For the next pre-season, we will be in the north and south to play friendly matches. It’s something we want to start culturally within the club and keep on doing it year after year,” said the club director.