'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There has been a lot of anticipation surrounding the inaugural edition of the Super Cup, which is set to get underway later this year.
While the venue for the Super Cup is yet to be confirmed, there have been strong rumours suggesting that Kochi, Kerala is one of the front-runners to host the tournament that will see the ISL clubs taking on the I-League sides. The other venue that is said to have been considered is Cuttack, Odisha.
However, the popularity of football in Kerala is something that has been well documented over the last few years, especially after the advent of the ISL in 2014, and that is one reason why Kochi is said to have become a strong contender to host the Super Cup.
"It will be a huge moment for Kerala if the Super Cup takes place in Kochi," said Gokulam Kerala FC head coach Bino George. "In the last six years, we have had no teams in the I-League. But Kerala has a very good football culture. All the fans would love it here.
"You see, cricket is not that popular here in Kerala. Football and athletics are the main sports here. So if we play the Super Cup, especially in Kerala, it would be great," he continued.
Bino George's side Gokulma have stunned one and all, as they went on to conduct a late-season turnaround, and have gone from being relegation contenders to the sixth spot on the table. If they can maintain this position, they will get direct qualification for the Super Cup, which also brings up the mouthwatering prospect of a derby against the largely popular Kerala Blasters.
Bino revealed that a derby against the Blasters, especially in Kerala, could turn out to be a huge affair. "I am looking forward to playing the Blasters in the Super Cup, if we qualify. If we do play the Blasters, it would be huge. It would the best moment in Kerala football," he signed off.
