First of all, Let me be the one to wish “Happy Onam” to you, my readers and as we now see for Kerala Blasters fans, this Onam has become more special by the surprise reveal of “The Sanctuary” – A Training Facility fully owned by the club, located within Sree Narayana Vidyapeetam Public School, Thrippunithura, in partnership with the school.
The Club had been on the works for building a new training base over the last 1-2 years, which has now been completed with the land acquired on a long lease. The Sanctuary, named by Nikhil B Nimmagadda (Owner & Whole Time Director of Kerala Blasters FC), is expected to host training sessions of both the Senior and Reserve Team, replacing Panampilly Nagar Ground. The establishment of ‘The Sanctuary’ is a big milestone for the club amidst the ISL Uncertainty and the club is planning to build two more such pitches, as per reputed Khel Now journalist, Ashish Negi.
“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.” (via KBFC’s Official Website)
Comments from the Club Management:
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.”
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.”
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.” (via KBFC’s official website)
What’s Next for the Blasters:
The Sanctuary, as mentioned previously, is a positive development amidst the ISL Uncertainty and displays a long-term vision from the club’s board. It’s a dream-come-true moment for many of the club’s fans, but as much as they would want to see their idols train in this picturesque arena, they would have to wait, as the ISL season is still technically on hold, and so is pre-season.
ISL is expected to resume in December, but the planning and other activities for the club are still dependent on who wins the ISL tender and what happens after, as the proceedings will have huge impacts both structurally and financially on the participant clubs. The dates of the Super Cup are also yet to be announced, adding to the wait. The Club also had a limited transfer window in correlation with the ISL uncertainty, the details of which we will cover in another article, wishing you folks Happy Onam once again and goodbye.
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