I-League 2019: Gokulam Kerala FC to allow free entry to women fans

In a bid to get more women spectators to the ground, Gokulam Kerala FC has made entry free for all women in all their 10 home matches that will be held at the Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode this season. Kerala has one of the biggest fan followings for football in India, with even women and girls actively participating in the sport.

Gokulam Kerala's president V.C Praveen was eager to get more women involved with the I-League and stated that encouraging them to come into stadiums is just the first step. "We would love to see female spectators at the stadium," he told The Hindu. "I remember seeing photos of many women watching football matches in Kozhikode many years ago, Women here are interested in football."

"We are very serious about promoting women's football." The Gokulam Kerala FC team is the only I-League team to have a women's football side. The Gokulam Kerala FC Women, nicknamed the Malabarians, participate in the Indian Women's League. They had reached the semis of the competition in 2018-19.

If all things fall into place, the Gokulam Kerala FC Women could also turn out in the Kerala Women's League that is scheduled to get underway soon. It will have 10 participants.

Kozhikode District Football Association secretary P. Haridas was excited by the idea of allowing free entry to women and said, "We used to have different stands for women during the Sait Nagjee Football Tournament. It would be great if the women returned to the Corporation Stadium for the I-league."

Gokulam Kerala FC I-League schedule at Kozhikode for 2019-20

30-11-19 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Neroca FC 7pm

04-01-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Aizawl FC 7pm

09-01-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Chennai City FC 7pm

26-01-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Churchill Brothers FC Goa 7pm

02-02-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Tiddim Road Athletic Union 7pm

08-02-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Real Kashmir FC 7pm

29-02-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Punjab FC 7pm

03-03-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Quess East Bengal 7pm

15-03-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Indian Arrows 7pm

12-04-20 Gokulam Kerala FC vs Mohun Bagan 7pm