By Admin 
After its impactful entry into the football ecosystem in the State last year, the Super League Kerala (SLK) is set to begin a new chapter on Thursday when defending champion Calicut FC meets Forca Kochi FC in a repeat of last year’s final at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode.
The SLK is fast erasing the perceived image of Kerala being a graveyard for football clubs and has become a game-changer for the sport in the State. The presence of film stars — Prithviraj Sukumaran, Nivin Pauly, Kunchacko Boban, Basil Joseph and Asif Ali — as owners and brand ambassadors has added a touch of glamour to the event. Politicians, technocrats, businessmen, and royalty also form part of the team ownership.
The SLK has signed a five-year ₹100-crore deal with sports.com, part of the USA-based SEGG media group, and live streaming is expected to significantly increase the league’s viewership, surpassing the 13 million views it garnered in the first season.
The matches will be telecast on Sony Sports Ten 2 and DD Malayalam channels. The six competing teams will have their own home grounds this season. Kannur Warriors and Thrissur Magic FC , who played their home matches in Manjeri last season, will be playing in Kannur (Jawahar Municipal Corporation Stadium) and Thrissur (Corporation Stadium), respectively. Forca Kochi has shifted its home base from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to the Maharaja’s College ground.
On the competition front the teams have geared up with new coaches and players. Kannur Warriors is the only team that has retained its coach. Spaniard Manuel Sanchez Murias will helm the team again. His countrymen Miguel Corral and Miquel Plana will be in charge of Malappuram FC and Forca Kerala, respectively.
Russian Andrey Chernyshov will try to change the fortunes of Thrissur Magic FC, while Kombans FC has named Englishman James McAloon as its coach. Argentine Ever Demalde will steer defending champion Calicut FC.
Former ISL star Roy Krishna is the star attraction among the 36 foreign players. The Fijian forward has signed up with Malappuram FC, which had a disappointing first season.
The SLK will present an opportunity for 100-odd footballers from Kerala to showcase their talent. The mandatory norm for teams to limit the number of foreigners in the playing squad to four and the requisite to field two development players from Kerala will encourage the growth of local talent. FIFA-approved balls, Saho, will be used during the tournament, which will conclude on December 14.