Image not recoveredParents of Germany and Bayern Munich star, Thomas Mueller, are in Kerala to enjoy their holidays and to watch the world famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race that will be held at Alappuzha on August 13. Gerhard and Klaudia Mueller, from the Upper Bavarian region in Germany, landed at the Kochi airport on August 7 and are staying at a private resort at Kumarakom.
Thomas Mueller, who was named as the Best Young Player of the Tournament and won the coveted Golden Boot in the last summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, had visited India during Bayern Munich's tour to India a couple of years ago. He also played for Munich in an friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Gerhard and Klaudia informed that it was Thomas who had recommended Kerala as he was enamoured by the God's Own Country. They also said that Thomas is interested in visiting Kerala in the near future.
"We are happy that the Muellers have chosen Kerala for holidaying. We consider it as a recognition for increasing importance of Kerala as a major world destination", said AP Anil Kumar, Minister of Tourism in a press release. Kerala Tourism Secretary V Venu added that the visit of Mueller's parents was significant because it was organized by a local tourism entrepreneur. He said it was an example of a homegrown tour operator stepping out to a larger stage.
The Muellers who would be watching the country's premier water sporting event from a house boat on Punnamada lake, will then leave for Kovalam Beach in Trivandrum before catching the flight back to Germany. In the state as guests of Intersight Tours and Travels, the Muellers are familiar with Kerala because of their parish priest, Fr. Saji Panamkallayil of the St. Laurentius Parish. He is accompanying them on their first visit to India. Gerhard works for BMW, while Klaudia is a finance manager of the church.
They are the latest among several distinguished visitors to Kerala in the recent times, a list which includes the likes of Beatles member Paul McCartney and Rock legend Sting.
Photo Courtesy: The Hindu
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Friday 12 August 2011, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.