ISL 2016: Kerala Blasters fans 'real heroes' of the season, says Nita Ambani

Kochi: Kerala Blasters’ passionate fans were the highlights of Indian Super League (ISL) 2016 as the team’s all home matches witnessed a packed house. With a capacity of approximately 55,000, the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi witnessed a full house for every single match the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned club played. [caption id=“attachment_3165150” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The Blasters fans recorded highest stadium attendance for any sports event in India this year. ISL[/caption] Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson, Football Sports Development Ltd, while lauding the energy and enthusiasm the fans brought into the field, termed Kerala fans as the highlight of ISL 2016 journey. “A big thank you Kerala for being such gracious fans. It is your unmatched enthusiasm and passion for the beautiful game that made ISL 2016 such a memorable season for me and for the entire footballing fraternity. The way Kerala fans supported their home club and kept cheering the team despite a heart-breaking loss, exemplifies the strong bond you have established with the Blasters. “In three seasons, the Kochi stadium has hosted over one million fans. Undoubtedly, Kerala fans were truly the inspiration for us to have the ISL 2016 final at Kochi. And we were overwhelmed by the way the ‘Yellow Army’ welcomed this finale with colour and character. “The way they stood behind their club Kerala Blasters through thick and thin proves that football has a unique place in Kerala’s soul. The football world is in awe of Kerala’s resurgence in the sport. For us at ISL, it is the Kerala fans who were the real heroes on Sunday night. It is a joy to watch Kerala celebrate the festival of football.” The Blasters fans not just achieved the milestone of recording the highest stadium attendance for any sports event in the country this year, but also scaled the rating chart of TV viewership this season. According to the BARC (Urban + Rural 4+), ISL viewership in Kerala alone was six times higher than all of India.