KOCHI: The inaugural season of Super League Kerala, which kicks off in September, was officially announced here Sunday.
At the KSL press meet, the six franchises in the league were introduced as Kochi Pipers FC, Calicut FC, Thrissur Roar FC, Kannur Squad FC, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC, and Malappuram FC.
Each team represents a distinct region within the state.
The franchise owners and co-owners include:
Kochi Pipers FC – SG Sports and Entertainment (SGSE) Pvt. Ltd., the sports and entertainment arm of APL Apollo Tubes Ltd (CEO Mahesh Bhupathi).
Thrissur Roar FC – Kaz Patafta, chairman and CEO of Brisbane Roar FC, Benoit Joseph of Magnus Sports and Mohammed Rafeeq of Nusym Technologies.
Kannur Squad FC – MP Hassan Kunhi, director of Kannur International Airport Ltd, Mibu Jose Nettikadan, managing director of Castle Group, Doha, Praveesh Kuzhuppilly, director of Asset Homes and Shameem Backer, promoter of Wayanad FC.
Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC – Travancore Princess Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, Dr Mohamed Ilyas Sahadulla, CMD of KIMS Hospital, KC Chandrahasan, MD, Kerala Travels, and TJ Mathews, co-owner, Kovalam FC
Malappuram FC – VA Ajmal Bismi, MD, Bismi Group, Dr Anvar Ameen Chelat, SAT Tirur FC and Grand Hypermarkets, and Baby Neelambra, president, Saudi Indian Football Forum , and
Calicut FC – VK Mathews, tech entrepreneur and chairman, IBS Group.
Scheduled to commence in early September, the inaugural tournament “aims to provide a platform for local talent to shine and gain recognition in the football world”, per a press release.
Per reports, the six clubs in Super League Kerala have collectively selected 100 promising young players from various parts of the state. Furthermore, the league will see the participation of foreign players from the Americas, capitalizing on the popularity of teams like Argentina and Brazil among fans in Kerala.
Kerala’s Minister of Sports, V Abdurahiman, expressed optimism about the forthcoming tournament’s potential for success. Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia attended the event and shared his belief that the Super League Kerala could foster talents akin to IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Anchery. Additionally, IM Vijayan, the celebrated footballer from Kerala, commended the new initiative, expressing hope in its capacity to discover and nurture further talent within the state.
