In a touching gesture of solidarity and support following the devastating landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, 24 young survivors from Wayanad were given a special opportunity to experience the excitement of the Indian Super League (ISL) opening match between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC. The children, aged 8 to 12, were part of the “Orumichonam” initiative and were honored guests at the game held at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
These young survivors, who are students from Vellarmala GVHSS, Mundakkai LP School, and Meppadi WMO School, had recently faced tremendous loss, including family members and homes, and are currently residing in temporary government rehabilitation housing. The initiative aimed to provide them with a moment of joy and positivity amidst their recovery.
The match, which was the third encounter between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC, ended in a defeat for the Blasters, denying their fans a perfect ‘Onam gift.’ Despite the loss, the initiative highlighted the community’s resilience and support for those affected by the landslides.
Punjab FC, who had a strong finish to their previous ISL season, continued their impressive form with a win against Kerala Blasters. This victory marked their first-ever back-to-back wins in ISL history, setting a positive tone for their second season.
Kerala Blasters FC’s new Swedish head coach, Mikael Stahre, praised his team’s commitment and drive, while Punjab FC’s Greek coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, expressed excitement about his first assignment in Asia. Both coaches are focused on improving their teams and building on past successes.
Key players to watch include Kerala Blasters’ Uruguayan star Adrian Luna, who is closing in on becoming the club’s second-highest scorer, and Punjab FC’s Slovenian forward Luka Majcen, who brings both goal-scoring prowess and leadership to his team.
