P.K Anil Kumar was one of the main reasons of Viva Kerala and Salgaocar getting promoted to I league in 2007 and 2009 respectively. He almost made it to Chirag united, however being an Kerala State Electricity Board employee, he had problems in joining. Thus, he came back to Kerala and played for Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) football team, where hew performed well, scored couple of hat tricks in Dronacharya trophy. Ultimately his dreams of playing in I league came true when Viva Kerala signed him this season. And now after 16 rounds, he is the top Indian scorer!!!
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Amazing work by you. Really nice pictures and stats. This way people will be aware about homegrown stars. And thanks usaindia again for starting this nice thread <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
It has been a meteoric rise for Viva Kerala, a club which was formed in 2004. In its first year, Viva defeated top clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, Titanium XI etc. and gained prominence. In 2006, Viva Kerala won the 3rd Division National Football League and the opportunity for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase with the likes of Salgaocar SC and Chirag United. In the final phase, Viva Kerala finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the National Football League 2007/08. The combination of Baba Thunde and PK Anil Kumar was one of the main factors in the success of Viva Kerala.
Anil Kumar, who has been a pillar behind Viva’s rise and has seen the ups and downs of the clubs all through these years shares his views and plans with Sanjeeb Sahoo of Indian Sports News. Excerpts:
ISN: Tell me something about yourself ?
Anil Kumar: I am from Kodungalloor a small village of Kerala and currently I am playing for Viva Kerala.
ISN: I heard that you are going to marry?
Anil Kumar: Yes, I am going to marry on May 17. My would-to-be wife is from Kerala.
ISN: Who and how did you get the inspiration to play this beautiful game?
Anil Kumar: When I was in class five, our football training camp was going on and veteran football player IM Vijayan had came to our school as a chief guest. I was also part of that event. He interacted with us and said Kerala boys are born for football and those words touched my heart. I started playing football on regular basis with few my friends in the village ground since then.
ISN: Please tells us about the clubs you have played for so far?
Anil Kumar: Presently as you all know, I represent Viva Kerala. Most of the players in Viava Kerala are junior players and they are well trained. Only two players are outsiders. Otherwise rest are from Kerala. Earlier, I played for Kochi FC and Churchil Brothers. I joined Viva Kerala team as a guest player. Then I got selected as regular player and still continue as a permanent member of the team.
ISN: You are employed with the Kerala government?
Anil Kumar: Yes I have got a government job in State Electricity Board. Actually it is good for sportsperson as it encourages young stars to look sports as a career.
ISN: What kind of changes you want in Indian Football Federation?
Anil Kumar: They should provide better ground for national level matches as well. We lack proper infrastructure, which include good football grounds as well.
ISN: Have you got any call from the national team?
Anil Kumar: Yes, when I was playing for under-19 team in 2000, but did not get any chance to play for the team.
ISN: Please tell me something about your upcoming series?
Anil Kumar: After Indian League, we will participate in seven vs seven tournament in Kerala. It’s a very famous series of our state. INS: Any memories on the football ground that you would like to share?
Anil Kumar: Yes I have good memory of a match against Air India as I scored a hat-tric in that match. My team won it by 7-1. That performance definitely boosted by morale.
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Photo Courtesy : <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.footballkerala.com">www.footballkerala.com</a><!-- w -->
He has also played for Kerala in Santosh trophy.
Amazing work by you. Really nice pictures and stats. This way people will be aware about homegrown stars. And thanks usaindia again for starting this nice thread <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/04/22/2452111/i-league-without-my-teammates-i-wouldnt-have-scored-so-many">http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/ ... ed-so-many</a><!-- m -->
IM Vijayan has been my inspiration
It has been a meteoric rise for Viva Kerala, a club which was formed in 2004. In its first year, Viva defeated top clubs like Mohammedan Sporting, Titanium XI etc. and gained prominence. In 2006, Viva Kerala won the 3rd Division National Football League and the opportunity for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL. Viva surprised everyone by finishing second in its group and qualified for the final phase with the likes of Salgaocar SC and Chirag United. In the final phase, Viva Kerala finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to book their place in the National Football League 2007/08. The combination of Baba Thunde and PK Anil Kumar was one of the main factors in the success of Viva Kerala.
Anil Kumar, who has been a pillar behind Viva’s rise and has seen the ups and downs of the clubs all through these years shares his views and plans with Sanjeeb Sahoo of Indian Sports News. Excerpts:
ISN: Tell me something about yourself ?
Anil Kumar: I am from Kodungalloor a small village of Kerala and currently I am playing for Viva Kerala.
ISN: I heard that you are going to marry?
Anil Kumar: Yes, I am going to marry on May 17. My would-to-be wife is from Kerala.
ISN: Who and how did you get the inspiration to play this beautiful game?
Anil Kumar: When I was in class five, our football training camp was going on and veteran football player IM Vijayan had came to our school as a chief guest. I was also part of that event. He interacted with us and said Kerala boys are born for football and those words touched my heart. I started playing football on regular basis with few my friends in the village ground since then.
ISN: Please tells us about the clubs you have played for so far?
Anil Kumar: Presently as you all know, I represent Viva Kerala. Most of the players in Viava Kerala are junior players and they are well trained. Only two players are outsiders. Otherwise rest are from Kerala. Earlier, I played for Kochi FC and Churchil Brothers. I joined Viva Kerala team as a guest player. Then I got selected as regular player and still continue as a permanent member of the team.
ISN: You are employed with the Kerala government?
Anil Kumar: Yes I have got a government job in State Electricity Board. Actually it is good for sportsperson as it encourages young stars to look sports as a career.
ISN: What kind of changes you want in Indian Football Federation?
Anil Kumar: They should provide better ground for national level matches as well. We lack proper infrastructure, which include good football grounds as well.
ISN: Have you got any call from the national team?
Anil Kumar: Yes, when I was playing for under-19 team in 2000, but did not get any chance to play for the team.
ISN: Please tell me something about your upcoming series?
Anil Kumar: After Indian League, we will participate in seven vs seven tournament in Kerala. It’s a very famous series of our state.
INS: Any memories on the football ground that you would like to share?
Anil Kumar: Yes I have good memory of a match against Air India as I scored a hat-tric in that match. My team won it by 7-1. That performance definitely boosted by morale.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://indiansportsnews.com/interviews/2895-interview-with-pk-anil-kumar.html">http://indiansportsnews.com/interviews/ ... kumar.html</a><!-- m -->