The Super League Kerala has decided to cast the net wider in its search for players for the league this season. And it is keen to look at young talent and also intensely at the future.
With this in mind, the SLK will launch its project ‘Gamechanger’, a major state-wide talent scouting programme, which will provide young footballers from Kerala with direct access to the league’s professional teams.
The trials, in different dates, will be held in Kannur, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam from July 15 to August 6 and players picked from these trials will be invited to teams’ pre-season training camps and stand a chance of earning a place in the SLK squads in the coming season.
“There are a lot of hidden gems in Kerala, we want to spot them and get them to play the league. Anybody can come and show their skill at the trials, they need not be State or district-level players.” said SLK Director Feroz Meeran here on Thursday.
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“We’ve structured the trials to ensure every registered player gets the opportunity to perform in front of the scouts.”
Each venue will have two-day trials, with the first day assigned for under-23 players (born between Dec. 15 2002 and Dec. 31 2008) while the second day will be open to those born on or before December 2002.
“Each player will be given 30 minutes to show their skill. We also have plans to bring in AI cameras and equipment to assess players,” said Mathew Joseph, the SLK’s CEO.
“And players who have performed in one trial could also take part in other trials in different venues.”
SLK representatives and scouts from the league’s six teams will be watching the players closely.
“I believe around 40% of the talent in the State still remains hidden, we want to bring them out, we want to give them a chance,” said Shaji Kurian, the general secretary of the Kerala Football Association.
Interested players are to register in advance and online registration forms will be available on the SLK’s official platform.
Trials dates and venues:
July 15-16: Pariyaram Medical College ground, Kannur.
July 22-23: Seethi Haji Stadium, Edvanna, Malappuram.
July 29-30: Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
August 5-6: Ernakulam (venue to be announced soon).
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com