Spreading the beautiful game across different regions of the country is one of the key objectives in Vision 2047, and the Federation’s plan to host the Hero Super Cup in Kerala, where both Hero ISL and Hero I-League teams will come together, is part of it. The-aiff.com is in Malappuram and Kozhikode, and is following the progress of the clubs in the Hero Super Cup closely in a series of stories.

Soumo Ghosh
AIFF MEDIA TEAM

MALAPPURAM: The Hero Indian Super League and the Hero I-League clubs converge in Kerala, where the Hero Super Cup will be held, as we come towards the closing months of the Indian Football season.

The Hero Super Cup presents an opportunity for those in the Hero I-League to show their mettle against the bigger outfits of Indian Football and use it as an opportunity to climb up the proverbial ladder.

For defender Likmabam Rakesh Meitei and his club NEROCA FC, it would be a battle to get through the qualifiers, before they would square up against the big boys. They start their campaign against Rajasthan United FC in the Qualifying Playoff, which is to be held at the Manjeri Stadium in Malappuram on Monday, March 3, 2023, at 8.30 pm IST.

“I have played against the Hero ISL teams in the Durand Cup too, this season, and I can tell you that there's a special excitement in the dressing room ahead of such matches," said Rakesh. "The ISL is played at a higher level, so all the boys are raring to prove themselves against these teams.

"It would be a great opportunity for us all to play in the Super Cup against the big teams, but first, we need to put out heads down and secure qualification. That starts with a good outing against Rajasthan United,” said Rakesh.

Hailing from the village of Takhel in the eastern reaches of Manipur, Rakesh has had deep links with NEROCA back in his days in the academy. The state has steadily supplied footballers aplenty to the top echelons of Indian Football, and its capital Imphal has finally begun to reap the rewards, with the city hosting matches in the Durand Cup last year, and more recently the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament, where India, much to the delight of the locals, defeated Myanmar (1-0) and the Kyrgyz Republic (2-0) to lift the trophy at the Khuman Lampak Stadium.

"Yes, I went to the stadium to watch both matches and it was a surreal experience seeing international football in Imphal," said Rakesh. "It really inspired and motivated me to work harder and aim higher.

"It gave me a taste of what the atmosphere in international football is like, and I also want to play at such a level," he said.

It was also an opportunity for Rakesh, who had moved from NEROCA to Bengaluru FC in his U-16 days and then on to the reserve team, to meet his childhood hero once again.

"I went up to meet Sunil Chhetri, whom I had idolised since I was a kid. I've been fortunate enough to have trained with him during the pre-season, and seeing him in action in India colours was just fantastic," said Rakesh.