Kochi (Kerala) [India], September 15 (ANI): In a truly heartwarming initiative following the devastating landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, 24 young survivors from Wayanad are set to experience an extraordinary event. These children will witness the high-energy Indian Super League (ISL) match between Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) and Punjab FC (PFC) live this Sunday, an opportunity that promises to lift their spirits.

This special event is part of an initiative named “Orumichonam,” which aims to bring joy and positivity to these young lives. These children, aged between 8 and 12, will not just be spectators but will also walk hand-in-hand with the players as they enter the pitch at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The children come from Vellarmala GVHSS, Mundakkai LP School, and Meppadi WMO School, adding a touch of local representation to the event.

The recent landslides have left many of these children without their families and homes, forcing them to reside in temporary government rehabilitation housing. The “Orumichonam” initiative seeks to provide them with a moment of happiness and distraction from their recent traumatic experiences.

This match marks the third encounter between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC, each having secured one win in their previous meetings. Kerala Blasters FC, renowned for their passionate fan base, are keen to extend their streak of winning opening games to three consecutive seasons. On the other hand, Punjab FC ended their last ISL campaign on a high note with an impressive 4-1 victory over East Bengal FC and aim to build on that momentum.

A victory against Kerala Blasters FC would be historic for Punjab FC, marking their first-ever back-to-back wins in ISL history. Both teams are geared up for a strong start to the season.

Kerala Blasters’ new Swedish head coach, Mikael Stahre, brings a wealth of experience from guiding top teams across Europe and Asia. “They are a very eager group, always ready to put in maximum effort. We have a good mixture of youth and experience and also foreign players. But all of them have a huge drive; they want to improve themselves, and they want to achieve something for this club,” Stahre stated.

Meanwhile, Punjab FC has also made a significant coaching addition with Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. This assignment marks his first in Asia, and he is enthusiastic about the challenge ahead. “Punjab FC are moving forward every year. They are taking quality steps forward, and everyone at the club, including the director (Nikolaos Topoliatis), is focused on quality more than quantity. This is a great challenge for me because this season we have to do one step better than last season,” Dilmperis said.

Adrian Luna stands out as the key player for Kerala Blasters FC. The Uruguayan forward has already scored 13 goals for the Blasters and is just two goals away from becoming the club’s joint second-highest scorer in ISL history alongside Nigeria’s Bartholomew Ogbeche (15). Only Dimitrios Diamantakos, who has since left KBFC, has scored more goals for the club with a tally of 23.

In Punjab FC’s lineup, attention will be on Slovenia’s Luka Majcen. Majcen had an outstanding season last year, scoring eight goals and finishing as Punjab FC’s joint-highest scorer along with Colombia’s Wilmar Jordan Gil. His goal-scoring ability coupled with his leadership skills makes him a pivotal figure in the team’s setup.

This event not only offers an exciting football match but also embodies resilience and hope for these young survivors, making it an occasion that transcends sports. (ANI)