The much-anticipated inaugural edition of the Super League Kerala is set to make its debut this Saturday. This new men’s professional football league, organized by the Kerala Football Association, Scoreline Sports, and Unified Football Sports Development Pvt. Ltd, will feature six teams competing for the coveted trophy.
In an exciting development, former ISL-winning coach John Gregory has joined Malappuram FC as their new manager. Alongside him, former Indian international Anas Edathodika will also be making an appearance. The league will also see participation from ISL champion Raphael Augusto and I-League stars like Alex Sanchez and C.K. Vineeth.
One unique aspect of the Super League Kerala is that it’s the only domestic football league in India that allows foreign players. Each team can register up to six international players, though only four can be on the field at any given time. This rule is similar to what’s seen in the Indian Super League (ISL). The opening match will feature Forca Kochi facing off against Malappuram FC.
The first game kicks off at 8:00 PM at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, preceded by a grand opening ceremony with appearances from actress Jacqueline Fernandez, drummer Sivamani, and musician Stephen Devassy.
The Super League Kerala aims to be a stepping stone for young Indian footballers, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and potentially move up to the Indian Super League (ISL). It also offers aspiring players from across the country the chance to learn from and compete alongside some of the best footballers and managers.
How to Watch the Super League Kerala
Star Sports Network will broadcast the matches of the Super League Kerala. Indian viewers can catch all the action on the Star Sports First TV channel and stream live on Disney+ Hotstar. For those in the Middle East, the games will be available on the ManoramaMAX streaming platform.
