International football stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adrian Kaka are likely to play in India later this year.
In a cricket-dominated country like India, the potential for other sports to grab a foothold among the wider public has been extremely difficult. Football is slowly back on the rise after several years in the shadows.
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Since the inception of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2013, the profile of the sport has gone up even if the progress of the national team remains slow.
National competitions like the ISL have led to foreign investment in Indian football, with the franchises able to attract not only the upcoming talents from India, but also legends of the game from yesteryear. But now, an ambitious new project seeks to replicate this at the state level.
Are football superstars Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka set to play in India?
Super League Kerala aims to establish itself as the primary football league in Kerala, and provide a pathway for players to make it to the ISL. Meeran Group, the organisation behind the project, has tied up with Indian legend IM Vijayan as brand ambassador, as well as the Andres Iniesta Academy to boost its profile and scouting network.
The league also has big dreams. According to Malayalam media outlet Media One, CEO of Super League Kerala Mathew Joseph confirmed that global superstars Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cafu and Hulk were part of the foreign contingent for season one.
Zlatan, Kaka, Cafu, Hulk to play in opening season of Kerala Super League which starts in August
— Abdul Rahman Mashood (@abdulrahmanmash) March 2, 2024
6 teams who can have 6 foreign players in the squad#KeralaFootball #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/A62S2XdhIZ
The initial season of the league is reportedly set to get underway by August 2024. It will have six teams, which are allowed six foreign players each. Managing director Firoz Meeran told the Hindu in November that two franchises would be from Malappuram. The other teams will be from Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur.
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