Click to play videoMalappuram: The elusive monsoon is finally here and at the first sight of rain, the football crazy people of Malappuram in Kerala have their own version of the IPL. It is a full-fledged tournament with prize money.
"I am working in the Gulf. But I come on leave during this period. For the last ten years I have not missed a single monsoon football tournament. I am an active member of the organising committee," said a monsoon football enthusiast.
The matches are played in the evenings and are called 'sevens', with seven players a side playing for a full time of 50 minutes. Most of the players are from recognised football clubs.
"This is actually off season for club football and we don't get any payment during this time. But the monsoon football tournament has come for a boon for us. We get a small remuneration apart from the prize money," said a player.
Even some club footballers from Nigeria and Kenya stay back for the monsoon football. But more for the thrill than for the money .
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.