Super League Kerala Announces Mahindra as Title Sponsor

Recently Mahindra Group has been announced as the title sponsor for the Super League Kerala (SLK). Beginning on September 7, the league will officially be known as the Mahindra Super League Kerala.

Fresh Start for Kerala Football

SLK Director Firoz Meeran has expressed optimism about the league’s potential. He believes that the Mahindra Super League Kerala will be a transformative force for football in Kerala and India. “The league will be a game-changer for Kerala and the country,” Meeran said, emphasizing the opportunities it will provide for young talent.

SLK Chief Executive Officer Mathew Joseph and Kerala Football Association (KFA) President Navas Meeran were also present at the press conference, outlining their vision for the league. The inaugural match will see Forca Kochi FC take on Malappuram FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, kicking off at 7.30 pm.

Teams and Venues

The first season of the league will feature six teams: Forca Kochi FC, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC, Kannur Warriors FC, Calicut FC, Malappuram FC, and Thrissur Magic FC. The matches will be played across four venues in the state: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Manjeri.

A cultural event showcasing leading performers from around the country will precede the inaugural match, adding an extra layer of excitement to the opening of the league.

Format and Prizes

The Mahindra Super League Kerala will consist of 33 matches spread over the season, concluding on November 10. The league follows a home-and-away format, with each team playing matches in their respective home cities.

The champions of the league will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 crore, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs 50 lakh. The competition will be broadcast live on Star Sports 1 and streamed on Hotstar, bringing the matches to a wide audience.

Boost for Local Talent

One of the league’s primary objectives is to boost local football talent. The league will require seven U-20 homegrown players and three U-23 local players in each squad. Each team must have a foreign head coach and a Keralite assistant coach to ensure quality coaching and development. This setup aims to facilitate knowledge transfer and provide young players with valuable exposure.

Navas Meeran, President of the KFA, highlighted the league’s commitment to raising the standard of football in Kerala. “We want to ensure a significant change at the grassroots level,” he said. The KFA’s efforts to revive the Chakolas Gold Trophy earlier this year were part of this strategy, aiming to give junior players crucial experience.

Franchise Ownership and Investment

The SLK’s franchise-based model is expected to bring private investment and professional management practices to Kerala football. The league’s total budget is around Rs 80 crore, with revenue sources including broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, and merchandise.

Each franchise has a fee of Rs 1.5 crore and a salary cap of Rs 2 crore, with teams expected to spend between Rs 8 to 10 crore this season. The revenue from ticket and merchandise sales will primarily benefit the franchises, with a share of the semifinal and final ticket sales going to the league.

Community and Charitable Efforts

In a bid to support local communities, a charity match will be held between Mohammedan Sporting Club and an SLK Top 11 team at Manjeri on Friday. The match aims to raise funds for the victims of the recent Wayanad landslides, with proceeds going to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

Looking Ahead

SLK’s CEO, Mathew Joseph, emphasized that the league is not just about football but also about uniting stakeholders for a common cause. “We want SLK to benefit young players and inspire youth across the state,” he said. The league is seeking assistance from the state government to acquire land for building new football grounds, aiming for broader support for the sport.

FAQs