The association of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with Kerala doesn't seem to start and end with football. The little master is the co-owner of Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters, and now, there is going to be a cricket stadium in the Indian state, named after him.
This has been confirmed by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) president TC Mathew. It is also to be noted that one of the pavilions of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi has already been named after the master blaster, and the recent move will only increase the popularity of the 'God of Cricket' in 'God's own country'.
However, the KCA are still in talks to decide which stadium is going to be named after Sachin Tendulkar, with the likely venue being the one in Wayanad, which hosted two four-day unofficial Test matches between India A and South Africa A last month. While the first unofficial Test was a draw, India A won the second unofficial Test by an innings and 81 runs.
"We have not decided which one because we have the newly-opened cricket stadium in Wayanad and we have other stadiums also that are fast nearing completion," Mathew told IANS.
"The decision will be taken shortly. He [Sachin] will also be consulted."
The KCA are also working on installing some cutting-edge sports facilities close to the upcoming cricket grounds in each of the 14 districts in Kerala, and they are hopeful of roping in the batsman as a guide to execute the same at the earliest.
"What we are planning is a multi-sports facility centre attached to each of our upcoming cricket grounds. We are interested in providing facilities for our new generation in other sports also. We wish to speak to Tendulkar if he will be willing to partner us in this project," Mathew continued.
The 42-year-old was earlier roped in as the goodwill ambassador of the 35th National Games, held between January and February this year in Kerala. The cricketer spearheaded the 'Run Kerala Run' initiative, which was one of the promotional campaigns of the National Games.
Meanwhile, reports have also emerged that the former cricketer is set to own a luxury waterfront villa in the state, and he has shortlisted one of them in Panangad.
