Month: September 2025

Kerala Blasters FC is delighted to announce its new training base, ‘The Sanctuary’, located within Sree Narayana Vidyapeetam Public School, Thrippunithura, in partnership with the school. Purpose built to meet Indian football’s rigorous standards, the facility marks a significant milestone in the club’s long term vision of establishing world class football infrastructure in Kerala.

From the outset of their stewardship, the leadership of Kerala Blasters recognised the strategic importance of a dedicated training facility. For many years, the team relied on external grounds, investing heavily in maintenance but without the full control necessary to consistently guarantee optimal conditions for elite performance. 

Reflecting on this development, Nikhil B Nimmagadda, Owner & Whole Time Director of Kerala Blasters FC, commented, “A professional club cannot truly progress without a ground it can call its own. Relying on rented facilities restricted what we could deliver for our players and staff. Sanctuary was conceived to address that need – to create one of the finest pitches in the country, surrounded by infrastructure designed entirely for our requirements. It represents a turning point for the club.”

At the heart of the Sanctuary lies a pristine Bermuda grass pitch, measuring 105 by 68 meters, put together keeping Kerala and its unique weather conditions in mind. It has been built keeping a high quality drainage system at its heart to combat heavy downpour along with a fully integrated sprinkler system. Complementing the pitch are purpose-designed facilities, including dedicated spaces for recovery, medical care, performance analysis, meetings and media operations along with dressing rooms for the players and coaches. The layout ensures that players, coaches, and staff can work seamlessly in one environment, enhancing preparation and fostering stronger connections across all areas of the club.

CEO Abhik Chatterjee highlighted the impact of the project, saying, “The Sanctuary is more than just a training ground, it is a complete ecosystem. We were able to obtain the space on a long-term lease which now gives us peace of mind and complete control over our surroundings. Every detail has been designed to support performance, professionalism, and togetherness. For the first time, our senior team, academy, and reserves will share the same facility, creating an environment where young players can grow alongside the first team and aspire to the same standards. We are also grateful to have the support of Sree Narayana Vidyapeetam Public School, who understood our vision and our commitment to growing football in our state. They have been nothing short of fantastic in their understanding of our needs and wants.”

The new facility is only the beginning of a larger vision. Future phases will expand Sanctuary with additional technology and resources, ensuring the Blasters continue to set benchmarks in Indian football. Nikhil added, “This is the foundation upon which we will continue to build. It is both a statement of intent and a long-term commitment to our players, coaches, and supporters.”

Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys underlined the importance of this development from a footballing perspective, stating, “Infrastructure is a fundamental requirement for any professional football club, and this new facility allows us to take an important step forward. Sanctuary provides not only one of the best playing surfaces in India for our players but also the right environment to implement modern training methods and long-term player development. It ensures that our philosophy can be lived every day, from the senior squad down to the academy. I hope we can continue to invest in infrastructure further, because it is a crucial part of strengthening football culture.”

Mr. M.N Divakaran, Secretary of Sree Narayana Vidyapeetam Charitable Society, Tripunithura, said: “As an institution, we have always believed in contributing to the wider development of our state, and sport is a vital part of that vision. When the idea of building a FIFA standard world class training facility in our premises was proposed, we saw it as an opportunity to support Kerala’s leading Kerala Blasters and, through them, the growth of the sport in our state.

We are proud to have such a FIFA standard international training facility in our institution, which has the potential to take forward not only the club but also the entire sports culture of Kerala.”

The name Sanctuary reflects the spirit of Kerala Blasters. Inspired by the elephant in the club crest, a symbol of Kerala’s strength and identity, it represents a safe space where players and staff can prepare, grow and thrive together. As Abhik explained, “The elephant is at the heart of our crest, and it symbolizes strength, belonging and Kerala itself. We wanted a name that reflected that spirit, while also conveying what the facility represents, a safe space where our players and staff can sharpen their tools, prepare and add value to each other. A true home for the entire Blasters family.”

With the Sanctuary now announced, Kerala Blasters FC has taken a decisive step forward, underlining its ambition to provide the best possible environment for its players today while laying the foundations for generations to come. The official inauguration of the facility will take place very soon.