The Tamil Eelam football team is set to make its debut entry at the VIVA World Cup, due to commence in Kurdistan on Monday.

The TEFA logo depicting a leopard - the Tamil national animal, found commonly in the North-East

Formed by Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA), the team is made up of the nation’s budding footballing talents around the world, with a mix of semi professional and amateur players that compete in leagues in their respective countries.

Tamil Eelam will be fighting it out against eight other teams, split into three groups, for a place in the final and a chance to win the prestigious Nelson Mandela Trophy. The final match is set to take place on 9th June.

Tamil Eelam has drawn Zanzibar and Raetia in Group B. With their first two matches against Raetia and Zanzibar on Tuesday 5th June and Wednesday 6th June, the pressure is definitely on as the nation gathers proudly behind its boys.

Despite difficulties in training, given the fact that the players are scattered across the world, team manager, Ragesh Nambiar, said the players had been getting their kit out and training hard.

Speaking to Tamil Guardian on Wednesday, as the squad made its final preparations, Nambiar said,

“It is such an honour to be part of Tamil Eelam’s first ever team that is taking part in the VIVA World Cup."

"The players are really proud to be representing their nation."

"It’s a new experience for all of us, so we’re not building our hopes up just yet, but it’s a great chance for Eelam’s budding hopefuls to get the chance to play in an international competition."

"We just hope we do our brothers and sister back home proud."

With excitement building around the world, football pundit, Ed Stubbs has labelled Tamil Eelam as  “potential outsiders”, however marked it with a hint of caution commenting that  “Tamil Eelam could find it tough going amongst some strong opponents”.

However, for the fans, win or lose, the only question on their minds is who will be the player to go down in history as scoring the first international goal for Tamil Eelam?

Groups:

Group A: Kurdistan, Sahara Occ. and Occitania

Group B: Zanzibar, Raetia and Tamil Eelam

Group C: Chipre del Norte, Provenza and Darfur

Group B Match Details:

Raetia v Tamil Eelam

Tuesday 5th June 2012 at 20:30 (AST) at Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil.

Tamil Eelam v. Zanzibar

Wednesday 6th June 2012 at 20:30 (AST) at the Erbil International Stadium

(AST = Arabic Standard Time)

See here for live coverage of the matches on Kurdistan TV and see here for live TG Twitter updates from our correspondent on the ground.

Tamil Eelam 2012 VIVA World Cup squad:

Selvananthan Hariendran (1)
Age: 22
Position:  Goal Keeper
Club: Valvai Blues
Country of Residence : Great Britain

Ragesh Nambiar (3)
Age: 23
Position: Defence
Club: Santos
Country of Residence : Great Britain

Lakshman Vairavamoorthy (4)
Age: 20
Position: Defence
Club: Union FC
Country of Residence: Great Britain

Pushpalingam Kandavanam (5)
Age: 27
Position:  Defence
Club: Canadian Tamil Soccer Association (CTSA)
Country of Residence :  Canada

Arun Vigneswararajah (13)
Age: 18
Position:  Defence
Club: York Region Shooters
Country of Residence :  Canada

Krishanth Thavarajah (6)
Age: 17
Position:  Midfield
Club: FC Zug
Country of Residence: Switzerland

Gajan Premkumar (8)
Age: 22
Position:  Midfield
Club: Mahajana
Country of Residence:  Great Britain

Biraveen Nallathamby (9)
Age: 17
Position:  Midfield
Club: FC Affoltern
Country of Residence: Switzerland

Mahy Nambiar (10)
Age: 17
Position: Midfield
Club: Watford Academy
Country of Residence: Great Britain

Menan Nagulendran (12)
Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Club:  Scarborough Rangers
Country of Residence: Canada

Sanjev Jayasingam (14)
Age: 18
Position: Midfield
Club: Kilenburg Nobleton S.C
Country of Residence: Canada

Rathish Nalliah (15)
Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Club: East London Elite (ELE) 
Country of Residence:  Great Britain

Janarthan Sadacharalingam (17)
Age: 25
Position:  Midfield
Club: Scarborough Azzuri Blues
Country of Residence : Canada

Rosh Sri (11)
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Club: Sunrise
Country of Residence: Great Britain

The TEFA was formed by the Global Tamil Youth League, a coalition of Tamil youth groups worldwide.

The VIVA World Cup is run by the New Federation Board for nations unaffiliated with FIFA and takes place every two years. This year, the tournament takes place in the cities of Erbil and Salahaddin, in Kurdistan. Matches will take place in the 30,000 capacity stadiums: Erbil International Stadium, the Ararat Stadium and Franso Hariri Stadium. Previous winners include Sapmi (2006) and Padania (2008, 2009, 2010).

Full schedule: