Kerala revised budget: Malabar to get international football stadium as budget boosts sports sector

The Kerala government’s revised budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday (June 19, 2026), unveiled a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure, expanding student participation and nurturing future champions.

It allocated ₹173.77 crore for the sports and youth sector and another ₹50 crore for the construction of an international standard football stadium in the Malabar region.

According to the design, the football stadium will be built with modern facilities. The project was conceived keeping in mind the enduring popularity of football in Kerala, particularly in the Malabar region, which has long been considered the footballing heartland of the state.

Sports enthusiasts from various academies said the stadium is expected to strengthen Kerala’s sports infrastructure, improve training opportunities for budding footballers and boost the state’s capacity to host major sporting events.

Along with infrastructure development, the government proposed measures to increase youth sports participation. The budget suggests optimal use of playgrounds and sports facilities on college campuses and makes it mandatory for students to participate in at least one sport or the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

“The budget also proposes initiatives to encourage greater participation in sports and other constructive activities among the youth while helping to discourage drug abuse and other undesirable practices. It is a timely action plan,” said Shanavas Ponnadam, a member of the Kozhikode Football Club. He added that the services of retired coaches should be utilized to strengthen training programs and mentor students and budding athletes.

A major part of the government’s sports strategy is the launch of Vision 2036, a talent identification and development program aimed at preparing athletes for the Olympic Games in 2036. Under this initiative, children with exceptional sporting ability will be identified at an early stage and given intensive coaching and scientific training to help them compete at the highest level.

The budget also promises to create a structured pathway for athletes to progress in national and international competitions, boosting the state’s presence at major global sporting events, including the Olympics.

Eminent association coaches in various district sports councils in Kerala said the budget proposals reflect a dual focus on expanding participation at the grassroots level and building high-performing sports systems. They were also hailed as a major plan to develop sports infrastructure and a means of harnessing the state’s passion for football to encourage greater participation.

Published – 19 Jun 2026 19:42 IST