The city and district has contributed with numerable players, clubs, coaches, tournaments and stadiums to Indian football.
The first football tournament in central Kerala was kicked off in 1925 by the Kochi Athletic Association.
The tournament was held at the Palace Ground, now known as the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium.
Rama Varma XV, Maharaja of Cochin, has contributed 100 tola of silver for the tournament.
The first winner was Church Mission Society High School Union, Thrissur.