(Image source from: Sachin Tendulkar's Kerala Blasters commence training})

Sachin Tendulkar's Kerala Blasters started their sessions at the Municipal grounds on Monday, in the lead-up to the Indian Super League football tournament starting next month.

The camp commenced under David James, manager-cum-marquee player of Kerala Blasters. Speaking on the occasion, he said: "The team is excited and our preparation has started full steam. The players are looking good. We will be doing plenty of football and fitness work. We are also planning to get the players some match practice before starting our campaign in the tournament. It was good to see the players interacting with each other and getting to know one another."

Most Indian players have already arrived while six to seven International players are likely to join the team this week.

Michael Chopra, former English footballer of Indian origin, and Nirmal Chettri are expected to be here.

The team was greeted by former national players IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri. Hundreds of people had gathered at the ground to get a glimpse of the players and cheer their team.

The team is jointly owned by Tendulkar and Prasad V Potluri, chairman and managing director of PVP Ventures, a company with investments in realty, media, sports and entertainment.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury