Calicut FC to become first SLK club to join Kerala Premier League

Calicut / February 19, 2026

Kozhikode, Feb 19: Calicut FC is all set to vie for honours in the upcoming Kerala Premier League (KPL), becoming the first club from the Super League Kerala (SLK) to feature in the prestigious championship.

The decision comes as part of Calicut FC’s plans to take its consistent competitive presence beyond the SLK season.

According to its officials, Calicut FC views its participation in the KPL as a strategic move to strengthen youth-scouting and provide a competitive ground for developing emerging players. The participation in the SLK will serve as an avenue for nurturing local talent and creating pathways for progression into other major professional competitions.

Under the guidance and supervision of Head Coach Biby Thomas, the coaching program for the KPL team will be led by Hussain P, who was on the coaching panel of Calicut FC during the SLK season. The club will announce its player roster in due course.

The KPL is expected to kick off in early March, with a line-up of around 14 teams, including Kerala Police, KSEB, and Gokulam Kerala FC. Matches in the northern region are likely to be held at Kottapadi Stadium, Malappuram.

Calicut FC officials said that participation in the KPL aligns with the club’s broader objective of strengthening the football development ecosystem by providing young players with greater exposure to structured competition.  This will also encourage other SLK clubs to engage with the KPL in the future.

As part of its longer-term approach, Calicut FC has plans to enhance its football infrastructure, including a full-fledged training facility to support its year-round activities, youth development, and grassroots initiatives.

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