Kochi: Kerela Blasters FC (KBFC) have launched their #SALUTEOURHEROES themed third kit on Friday (October 30). They launched the kit in honour of the unflinching and brave spirit of frontline workers all over the world during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision of the club to dedicate the official 3rd kit to the warriors, who have been relentlessly working to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is an extension of the #SaluteOurHeroes campaign, initiated earlier this year.
Through this campaign, the club had been using its strong social media presence to bring to light numerous inspiring stories and tireless efforts of Malayali frontline workers from all over the globe. This kit will be donned with pride by the players during selected matches in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League.
The club also took pride in announcing that this special kit has been designed by one of their ardent fans. This unique and carefully outlined pattern was designed by Sumana Sainath, a 20-year old B.SC student from Christ University, Bangalore. Sumana emerged as the winner from over 300 design entries that were received as part of a contest ran by Kerala Blasters on its official social media handles, which gave the club’s supporters an opportunity to model a prototype for the club.
Sumana, who designed the kit expressed, “From designing the jersey as a salute to our heroes during the pandemic to winning the competition, this journey with Kerala Blasters FC will remain unforgettable. To have contributed something as big as a jersey design to the best and one of the most passionate fan base ever, will certainly remain a highlight in my life. I would like to thank the entire team at KBFC and fans for all the love. Above all, a big thank you to our warriors, who are bravely fighting day and night against COVID. I wish the best of health to all.”
The design had been cleverly reconstructed in a way that the KBFC elephant has elements that symbolises various categories of frontline workers that diligently blend into a story: Badges for the police, brooms for the sanitization workers, the stethoscope over a globe and the hands of protection for all the medical staff including doctors and nurses, a map of Kerala, the Indian Flag, swords as tuskers and a dove that symbolizes peace and protection to every fan all across the world no matter where they are. The colours ‘White’ and ‘Gold’ had also been thoughtfully chosen to resemble the ‘Kasavu mundu’ and pay tribute to the cultural heritage of Kerala.
