Kerala Initiates India’s First College Sports League to Build a New Sports Culture

News Desk

07 August 2025 12:15 PM

Kerala has made history by launching the country’s first College Sports League (CSL), a unique initiative aimed at building a new sports culture among college students. Jointly implemented by the Department of Sports and the Department of Higher Education, this initiative marks a major step in the state’s efforts to promote sports at the grassroots level. With this, Kerala becomes the first state in India to introduce a structured college-level sports league.

The CSL is part of the new sports policy formulated by the state, which aims to nurture young talent and guide them towards professional sports careers. The first season of the league began on July 18, 2025, with football matches kicking off at Calicut University, followed by volleyball competitions at Mahatma Gandhi University. More sports events, including athletics and basketball, are planned in the coming years. Competitions will be held at zonal and state levels, with top-performing colleges qualifying for league participation. The long-term goal is to transform colleges into vibrant sports hubs.

To run the league smoothly, student-led sports councils have been set up in all participating colleges. These councils have full control over organising the leagues. Students taking part in the CSL are also provided with incentives such as stipends, performance bonuses, and scholarships. The league is expected to create thousands of jobs and make the college sports sector financially self-sufficient. Funding is sourced through sponsorships and CSR initiatives. Additionally, the CSL will promote sports-related courses and startups, building a broader ecosystem around sports in higher education.

The format of CSL is inspired by popular collegiate sports leagues in countries like the United States, ensuring a professional structure and high visibility. It is funded through the state’s sports development funds for colleges.

Kerala’s Sports Policy, based on the concept of ‘Sports for All’, aims to build a vibrant and sustainable sports economy. The policy focuses on two pillars – Sports for All and Sports Excellence. It aims to identify and nurture talent, promote international-level sports performance, and build a balanced sports ecosystem that includes community sports, sports tourism, e-sports, sports education, and sports-based healthcare.

The College Sports League is a model for the rest of the country. It gives equal importance to sports and education, guiding youth toward successful careers in sports. By promoting sports participation and creating economic and job opportunities, the CSL is set to play a key role in strengthening Kerala’s sports mission and its vision of a comprehensive sports economy.