Shafeeq Hassan.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Santosh Trophy is still the ‘Holy Grail’ for football fans in Kerala. As the 79th edition of the National championship begins in Assam, perhaps no team will feel the pressure more than last-year’s runner-up Kerala, seeking its first title since 2022.
Shafeeq Hassan, who has struck gold in his recent stints as coach with Kerala (National Games) and Kannur Warriors (Super League Kerala), has been tasked to bring the trophy back to Kerala.
Shafeeq, who worked as assistant coach of Kannur Warriors, has picked 21 players who cut their teeth in SLK. “SLK was a good platform for the players to showcase their talent. It was highly competitive and of high standard. It was a no-brainer that players who did well in SLK would be an automatic choice for the State team,” he said.
The Kerala team is undergoing its final preparation in Wayanad to acclimatise to the cold and high altitude conditions which will confront the team in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji. Kerala is drawn alongside Railways, Services, Punjab, Meghalaya and Odisha in Group B.
“We are in the final stages of our preparation. The team has played a few practice games and the boys are upbeat and looking forward to the challenge. We have been training in Wayanad for the past few weeks. It is important for the boys to get a feel of the conditions they will get in Assam.
“As a coach it is important for me not to let the players feel the pressure. I have told the boys not to worry about pressure and we should concentrate on doing things in our control properly. The key is to execute our game plans to perfection. We will be flexible in our formations depending on the opposition,” said Shafeeq.
Published – January 19, 2026 06:35 pm IST
