Malappuram, Areekode and Calicut | Die hard football fans of Malabar! –
How many people would see a football match between two District level
teams? Hundred, you would say? Or maybe two hundred? You could well be
right - if the match were to be played anywhere in India, other than in
Malappuram (Kerala). Malappuram is the homeland of former international
Moideenkutty, Mampad Rehman, Akbar Ali, C Ubaid, U Sharaf Ali, C Jabir,
Habeeb Rehman. The number of players from this district having
represented the state of Kerala is close to 500.On a pleasant Friday
evening at Manjeri, over 5,000 men, young and old, watched, ASC Areacode
taking on MES Mampad in the 'A' Division football league championship
match from the sideline of Government BHSS Ground. This tournament is
known as the “CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF MALAPPURAM”. Team Participation in
this tournament is a regional feeling of the people, so that many
matches end in brick-batting."I was hardly surprised to see such a big
crowd," says OK Javeed, the gifted striker who scored two goals for
Mampad’s victory. "Such is the passion for football to the people of
Malappuram district. ‘Though I have played on many big grounds, in India
and abroad, I have never come across such passionate crowds anywhere
else."
ARGENTINA-LARGEST FANS IN MALAPPURAM DISTRICT
There are fans for allmost every nation in malapuram district including Argentina , Brazil , Germany, Italy and teams like Ivory coast.But the biggest number of fans is for Argentina.After bengal it would be in kerala in particular malabar region that Argentina is having the largest number of fans.People of malapuram have been addicted to the attacking style of argentine football.Ever since the invention of television they have seen their first world cup in 1986,known for the magic of legendary Deigo Maradona.Since then there is no decline in the number of fans for the nation here.
It can also seen that no other players of any nation could get a fan following as that of argentina's Maradona or Messi in the state. Almost all of Spain and Argentina broke into celebration as Lionel
Messi was voted FIFA footballer of the year on Tuesday. Add to that list
north Kerala's Malappuram, where crackers were burst and sweets went
round for one of their soccer heroes, admired as much in the
football-crazy district as anywhere in soccer-bitten European, African
or Latin American centers.
Kannur goes mad over Diego Maradona
Anyone who arrived in Kannur on Tuesday could have easily mistaken it for Buenos Aires or any other Argentinian city. Every vantage point in this northern district of Kerala had been taken over by one man, Diego Maradona.
"For people of Malabar, football is a religion and Maradona is our god. Today our 'football god' has come to visit us. On Wednesday morning he will bless us," said Nizam AH as he was giving finishing touches to one of the cutouts outside the Kannur Municipal stadium, where Maradona will make his public appearance on Wednesday morning.
Shafiq and Nithumon, the self proclaimed Brand ambassadors of Argentina team.
They purchased this scooter only for the World cup 2010. Spent around Rs.1000 for stickering.
Argentina cars!
The official means of transportation for Argentina fans
Cheer leader for Argentina team in a match against Brazil at Areekode.
I saw this person in a Brazil Vs Argentina match organised at Areekode. Notice the strange percussion instrument.
