Tendulkar unveils Kerala Blasters jersey and anthem

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, co-owner of Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Kerala Blasters, Monday unveiled the Kochi-based football team's jersey and the anthem.

Tendulkar said the yellow coloured jersey signifies determination and faith.

"Our jersey symbolises determination as far as the players are concerned and faith for all the well wishers of the team. I am very happy that we have members from all the continents and also from across the country. I have now found out that our team has a good number of characters and it's necessary to keep the dressing room in good spirits," said Tendulkar.

Tendulkar said that as he promised on his first visit to Kerala in May this year (when he came to meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and announced the team name), he would do his best to promote local talent.

"Our team has identified one young local lad and his name is Dileep Menon and he will now be part of our team from now on. I recently came to know that there are 62 million diabetic patients in the country and this is where sports has a role to play, and it should take place from the grassroots and children have to be roped in," said Tendulkar.

George Muthoot, representing the Muthoot Pappachen Group, said they are excited in taking up the role of the team sponsor.

"We have always been in the forefront of promoting sports and like as we did for cricket, now we are taking up football too, by being the team sponsors of the Kerala Blasters," said Muthoot.

Early this month, the team logo which is built around the indomitable elephant, reflecting its pride of place in Kerala's culture and festivities, was unveiled. The elephant is depicted, cradling a football within its trunk.

The team has commenced its training as the inaugural ISL starts next month. The team has 44-year-old David James, the former England goalkeeper who was capped 53 times, as manager-cum-marquee player and also includes Michael Chopra who played the game at the highest level in various clubs in England.