Sevens Football
Variation of football / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sevens Football is a seven-a-side version of association football played in India, typically on a smaller field than a full-size football pitch.[1][2] Professional sevens football is predominantly popular in Kerala, especially in the Malabar regions, and in other parts of South India.[3] The matches in Sevens tournaments are often played to fully packed stadiums.[4] All India sevens players have more technical ability than elevens players and games can be physical.[1] In All India Sevens Football, new clubs cannot be formed and existing clubs can be sold Sevens tournaments have also attracted players from other parts of India,[5] as well as international players including some from Africa.[6] Matches are held from November to May (suspended during the monsoon break).[2]
Clubs | 31 permanent registered clubs and 4 temporary registered clubs |
---|---|
Characteristics | |
Team members | 7 per side |
Type | Sports |
Equipment | Football |
Venue | Football pitch |
Presence | |
Country or region | South India |
Olympic | No |
Paralympic | No |
The Sevens' Football Association (SFA) organizes around 50+ All India Sevens tournaments among different clubs across South India.[7]
Several footballers from South India, including India internationals / ISL such as I. M. Vijayan,[5] Ashique Kuruniyan, VP Suhair, Mashoor Shareef, CK Vineeth, Zakeer Manuppa, Mohammed Rafi, Asif Kottayil and Anas Edathodika, credit their experiences in Sevens tournaments for helping them improve their footballing skills and develop their passion for the sport.[8][1]