<p>The Kochi team for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, co-owned by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has been named 'Kerala Blasters'.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The name was announced by state chief minister Oommen Chandy after his brief meeting with Tendulkar here today.<br /><br />Tendulkar also accepted Chandy's request to be Goodwill Ambassador of the National Games, to be held in Kerala in January-February 2015.<br /><br />Tendulkar, who was given a rousing reception at the airport and government secretariat, also called on Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, seeking support in his efforts to promote football.<br /><br />After meeting Chandy in his chamber, a beaming Tendulkar said he was "overwhelmed and speechless" at the love and affection showered on him by Keralites.<br /><br />On the team's name, he said: "People call me Master Blaster... One can say there is possibly an association," he said.<br /><br />Tendulkar said though he grew up playing cricket, not many know that he enjoyed other sports as well.<br /><br />"I grew up playing cricket... Very few people knew that I enjoy other sports like hockey, football and badminton."<br /><br />He said the Indian Super League would definitely give a boost to football in the country.<br /><br />Tendulkar said that as a Rajya Sabha member, he had submitted to the Human Resources Development Ministry his "vision" on promotion of sports and would continue to pursue that.<br /><br />"With collective and positive efforts we are sure the results will be good."<br /><br />He said media support for promotion of sports was very important.<br /><br />Tendulkar took the state government's request for being Goodwill Ambassador for the National Games as a "huge honour".<br /><br />"I am very happy to be part of this and for promotion of sports," he said.<br /><br />Chandy thanked Tendulkar for accepting the state's request in this regard.<br /><br />The CM said the team owners had offered to impart training in football to 1.25 lakh students in the state.<br /><br />After meeting Chandy, Tendulkar went to Achuthanandan's official residence and presented him a jerried shawl, a gesture reciprocated by the nonagenarian leader.<br /><br />"Sachin is an icon of cricket not only in India but the world over and it is a great thing that he is now supporting football," Achuthanandan said.<br /><br />Tendulkar said he was extremely delighted to meet Achuthanandan and his support and goodwill meant a lot for the Indian Super League Football.<br /><br />Tendulkar and team co-owner Prasad Potlury, a Hyderabad based entrepreneur, left for Kochi in the afternoon.<br /><br />When he arrived in the government secretariat, a large number of people, including the staff, gathered to have a glance.<br /><br />Though brief, the event turned out to be a spontaneous one within the secretariat premises.</p>
<p>The Kochi team for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, co-owned by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has been named 'Kerala Blasters'.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The name was announced by state chief minister Oommen Chandy after his brief meeting with Tendulkar here today.<br /><br />Tendulkar also accepted Chandy's request to be Goodwill Ambassador of the National Games, to be held in Kerala in January-February 2015.<br /><br />Tendulkar, who was given a rousing reception at the airport and government secretariat, also called on Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, seeking support in his efforts to promote football.<br /><br />After meeting Chandy in his chamber, a beaming Tendulkar said he was "overwhelmed and speechless" at the love and affection showered on him by Keralites.<br /><br />On the team's name, he said: "People call me Master Blaster... One can say there is possibly an association," he said.<br /><br />Tendulkar said though he grew up playing cricket, not many know that he enjoyed other sports as well.<br /><br />"I grew up playing cricket... Very few people knew that I enjoy other sports like hockey, football and badminton."<br /><br />He said the Indian Super League would definitely give a boost to football in the country.<br /><br />Tendulkar said that as a Rajya Sabha member, he had submitted to the Human Resources Development Ministry his "vision" on promotion of sports and would continue to pursue that.<br /><br />"With collective and positive efforts we are sure the results will be good."<br /><br />He said media support for promotion of sports was very important.<br /><br />Tendulkar took the state government's request for being Goodwill Ambassador for the National Games as a "huge honour".<br /><br />"I am very happy to be part of this and for promotion of sports," he said.<br /><br />Chandy thanked Tendulkar for accepting the state's request in this regard.<br /><br />The CM said the team owners had offered to impart training in football to 1.25 lakh students in the state.<br /><br />After meeting Chandy, Tendulkar went to Achuthanandan's official residence and presented him a jerried shawl, a gesture reciprocated by the nonagenarian leader.<br /><br />"Sachin is an icon of cricket not only in India but the world over and it is a great thing that he is now supporting football," Achuthanandan said.<br /><br />Tendulkar said he was extremely delighted to meet Achuthanandan and his support and goodwill meant a lot for the Indian Super League Football.<br /><br />Tendulkar and team co-owner Prasad Potlury, a Hyderabad based entrepreneur, left for Kochi in the afternoon.<br /><br />When he arrived in the government secretariat, a large number of people, including the staff, gathered to have a glance.<br /><br />Though brief, the event turned out to be a spontaneous one within the secretariat premises.</p>