Support comes pouring in for club.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Indian Super League (ISL) football franchise Kerala Blasters have got two new superstar owners from Telugu film industry. Actors Chiranjeevi and Akkineni Nagarjuna joined Sachin Tendulkar as co-owners of the team on Wednesday.
Along with the film stars, film producer Allu Arvind and industrialist and serial entrepreneur Nimmagadda Prasad have also bought some shares in Blasters Sports Pvt. Ltd, the owners of Kerala Blasters Football Club, reported The Indian Express.
The new investors were announced at an event held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Sachin Tendulkar along with Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Allu Arvind and Nimmagadda Prasad visited newly elected Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Football Association President Mather.
“We are beginning our third season in right earnest and have some of the biggest names coming on board as investors in Kerala Blasters. I welcome Chiranjeevi , Nagarjuna, Allu Arvind and Prasad to this exciting experience which is made more special with the faith and unique place that Kerala Blasters holds in the hearts of millions of its followers,” Sachin Tendulkar said at a press meet.
Chiranjeevi said, “I have been an aspiring footballer on the reel and I am very excited to be part of a popular club co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar. All of us in Kerala Blasters are committed to expanding the football base in the state and give the potential talent a platform to perform and excel.”
“I have been supporting sports in the country and I am excited to start with football and a very special football team – the Kerala Blasters. I am keenly looking forward to experience the craze for the game in the state and beyond and wish the team the very best,” added Akkineni Nagarjuna.
Tendulkar continues to be the co-owner having more stake in the company.
The football club and Kerala Government have arrived at an agreement to start a residential football academy in the state to popularize football and nurture young talent among children. Tendulkar has also agreed to be the brand ambassador of Kerala government’s anti-liquor campaign.