Will go the extra mile to promote local talent – Joshua Lewis, CEO – Kenkre FC

Mumbai football for years has been deprived of teams playing in the top division. Barring Mumbai City FC, the ‘City of Dreams’ lacks representation of teams in the top leagues. Ever since Mumbai FC and Mahindra United shut shop, the city has been bereaved of top-flight football for potential youngsters.
This season, after three long years, Kenkre FC are set to play in the I-League 2nd Division. Not only is it a welcoming change for football in Mumbai, but an indicator of the revival of the lost beats.
In a conversation with Mr Joshua Lewis, CEO of Kenkre Football Club, he speaks about rebounding in the I-League, providing opportunities to Indian players, and thoughts for fans.
EXCERPTS:
- How do you see this opportunity to play in the I-League 2nd Division?
Well, I’m glad that the All India Football Federation has given an opportunity to a club from Maharashtra once again after a period of 3 years. The last time Kenkre FC participated was in 2017. We did qualify for the final round the last time we participated and missed out on qualification for the I-League. The opportunity is fantastic for a club like us, which merely runs on passion for the beautiful game. We want to thank Mumbai Football Association and Western India Football Association for their encouragement.
- How are you going to structure your team? Will it be a mix of Indians and foreigners?
Well, players from Maharashtra have always been our first option; we are representatives of Maharashtra and will go the extra mile to promote local talent. The I-League 2nd Division is a springboard towards professional football; it’s an ideal opportunity for a budding young talent to showcase himself. If we get the right foreigners who add value to the team, we will recruit them like in the past; we have also competed with an all Indian squad.
- Who is going to be the coach for Kenkre?
As a club, we have focussed on youth development since our inception. Likewise, we focus a lot on supporting and nurturing young talented coaches who eventually will make their mark in professional football. We have always promoted homegrown coaches knowing the pros and cons involved. This campaign will be managed by Mr Akhil Kothari, an A-Licensed Coach who has come through our ranks and will be mentored by our Technical Director, Mr Irenio Vaz, who has been instrumental in developing Maharashtra football for decades.
- You’ve teams from Uttarakhand, Kerala, Ahmedabad, and Delhi pitted against you; any thoughts on your opposition?
Well, the 2nd Division competitiveness is very different compared to the I-League & ISL. Consistent performance and a little luck irrespective of the opponents you face is a must. It will be an exciting competition this year since AIFF has allowed Clubs all over India. So we will expect surprises for sure from the competing teams.
- Any thoughts for supporters of Kenkre?
We are a club with a passion and have survived till date only because of the support we have received over the years. We aspire to compete at the highest level eventually and we are working extremely hard for it. We want the people of Maharashtra to support us to have a team from Maharashtra in the I-League. We still need support on all fronts and will be obliged if the state comes forward.
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Hero Indian Super League to Feature in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 22
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Rajasthan United rope in Mumbai League’s Top scorer Alister Anthony
The 22 – year old forward with a penchant for goals was one of the standout performers for Ambernath United – Atlanta FC in their title-winning run of MFA Elite…
Coaching his way to success – Ryan Roy Shah
Coach Ryan Roy Shah, who hails from Pune, decided to take an unconventional route in his coaching career, when he alongside his AIFF and AFC certifications, went for UEFA ‘B’…
Tickets for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™ launched
New Delhi, 05 August 2022: Ticket sales for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™ was officially launched on 5th August at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi in the presence…
FC Bengaluru United sign Hummel as their official kitting and merchandise partner
Bengaluru, 02 August 2022: FC Bengaluru United have announced that Hummel, a premium sportswear brand, will be their official kitting and merchandise partner for the upcoming 2022 season. The Danish sportswear brand, one of the…
131st Durand Cup Trophy Tour kickstarts in home of defending champions FC Goa
FC Goa take on Mohammedan Sporting in the tournament opener on August 16 Goa, August 2, 2022: The Trophy Tour for the 131st edition of the historic Durand Cup football…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District / Women Football
WIFA Inter District Championship: Bhandara edge Aurangabad 4-3, Gondia, Dhule win big
In a high-scoring tournament opener, Bhandara came from two goals behind to beat Aurangabad 4-3 while Dhule and Gondia kicked off their respective campaign with huge dominating wins WIFA Inter…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District
WIFA Inter District Championship Day 2: Host Palghar Knock Out Amravati; Nagpur Move To Next Round
Riding on a brilliant hat-trick from Tanvi Patil, Host Palghar registered a comprehensive 5-0 win while Gondia and Nagpur move to the next round with comfortable wins. Day 2 of…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District
WIFA Inter District Championship: Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune, and Nagpur book Semifinal spot
Mumbai win big and Kolhapur knocked out Gondia to book semi-final spots while Pune edged host Palghar by a solitary goal margin. Mumbai rode on Akansha and Valencia’s hat-trick to…
Mumbai City FC complete signing of Jorge Pereyra Díaz
Mumbai, 4 August 2022: Mumbai City FC are delighted to confirm that the club has completed the signing of Jorge Pereyra Díaz. The Argentine centre-forward joins the Islanders on a…
WIFA Inter District / WIFA Women's Championship
WIFA Inter District Championship: Mumbai, Kolhapur Set Up Final Clash
Defending champions Mumbai breezed past Nagpur to reach the final and will now defend their title against Kolhapur who edged past Pune 2-1 in the second semi-final. Two goals on…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…
ROQS to host trials for MFA Super Division
ROQS is revamping their squad for the upcoming season of the MFA Super Division. The team is organising trials for the men’s football team on Monday, 11th of July, 2022….
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Football School of India to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based Football School of India is going to conduct youth trials for its boys and girls squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-13…
Bengaluru FC Elite Youth Football Trials
Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and are past champions of the I-League and ISL. The club has launched its Soccer…
D’Souza Football Academy to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based D’Souza Football Academy is going to conduct football scholarship trials for its youth squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-7 to under-15….
Oscar SSE to conduct trials for Youth I-League in U13, U15&U18 category in Mumbai
OSCAR SSE, an AIFF Accredited Academy invites all U13, U15 & U18 players from ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC backgrounds for football trials to join our Elite teams to train round the year…
Elite Division / MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Air India to conduct senior team trials for MFA Elite League on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Senior Team to play the MFA Elite (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India…
MDFA / Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Air India to hold youth team trials on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Youth Team for the MFA Super (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India will…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Bhaichung Bhutia’s Residential Academy set to conduct trials in Mumbai
16th March, 2022: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) will conduct Residential Academy trials in Maharashtra for the academic year 2022-23. In the next few months, the trials will be organized…