A few eyebrows were raised when Rajib Banerjee, President of the Howrah and Hooghly Warriors franchise, said their endeavour would be to participate in the I-League and ISL during a jersey launch event in Kolkata on Saturday. It might sound ambitious, but there is genuine potential for regional franchise-based state leagues to thrive.
Former Brazilian footballer José Ramirez Barreto, who is also the coach of the Howrah Hooghly Warriors, reckons the BSL will provide the perfect platform for talented footballers from the district.
“We have a fantastic group of people. The BSL will provide much-needed exposure and playing time to talented players across the various districts in Bengal. This is turning into a reality,” said Barreto on the sidelines of the event.
Amid uncertainty over the start of the Indian Super League (ISL), franchise-based state leagues like the much-anticipated Bengal Super League could become a model for developing grassroots talent in India. In addition to the ISL, the country’s top-tier league, several regional franchise-based leagues such as the Super League Kerala are growing in popularity. Started in 2023, its matchday turnout has been a breath of fresh air.
There have also been instances of other regional franchise leagues emerging in recent years, such as the Gujarat Super League (formed in 2024), the Sikkim Premier League (established in 2023), and the Manipur Premier League. These state-level competitions aim to nurture grassroots talent and act as pathways to national-level tournaments.
While the ISL remains India’s top-tier league, new regional franchise competitions like the Bengal Super League (BSL) are positioning themselves to build grassroots talent and local following through district-based teams.
The Bengal Super League, a brainchild of Shrachi Sports Endeavour Pvt. Ltd. in association with the Indian Football Association (IFA), is set to begin on December 14 and will run until January next year. Among the eight franchises, the Howrah Hooghly Warriors FC were the first to unveil their jersey and theme song in the presence of the entire squad, along with head coach José Ramirez Barreto, in Kolkata on Saturday. The Warriors will kick-start their campaign on December 16 at the Sailen Manna Stadium, their designated home ground.
The side has been training under Barreto and assistant coaches Suman Dutta and Sanjay Palandar for the past month. The franchise has signed Brazilian Paulo Cezar as their first foreign player and will finalise two more overseas signings in the coming days.
The BSL aims to enhance youth interest in football while honouring the emotions and passion that the people of West Bengal hold for the sport. The league promises to uncover hidden talent across the state and provide opportunities for many who previously lacked a proper platform to showcase their skills.
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