Even with the onslaught of cricket, sevens football is in a strong wicket in Malappuram. The game is almost synonymous with the district and its people, who are largely responsible for its increasing popularity in the State today.

The sevens football season began in December in the district and will continue till the arrival of the monsoon. Nearly two-fifths of the sevens football tournaments being held across the State will be in Malappuram. A tourney each has already been held at Mampad, Perinthalmanna, and Morayur. The team of Saban Projects from Kottakkal won all three.

The sevens season is going to be hot in the coming days with 14 more tournaments to be held in the district. Apart from Mampad, Perinthalmanna, and Morayur, places such as Areekode, Kottakkal, and Tirurangadi too host major tournaments every year.

Most people know that this shorter version of football originated in Malappuram district. But no-one knows exactly where and when. Shahul Hameed, former general secretary of the Kerala Sevens Football Association, says shrinkage of football grounds was mainly responsible for the introduction of the shorter version.

“Open spaces are getting reduced and football courts are disappearing fast,” Mr. Hameed says. “Maybe a few years from now, we will have fives or threes football versions. We believe in the theory that even if there are two persons and a football, we can play a game.” Many in Malappuram believe in this theory.

Although it has been several decades since the district has been actively playing sevens football, floodlit stadiums for playing the game were introduced only about 15 years ago. That was for a tournament at Edavanna. Now almost all sevens football tournaments in the district are played in floodlit stadiums. So is the case in other districts.

When Malappuram is hosting 17 tournaments this season, Thrissur is hosting about a dozen. When Ernakulam holds the third place in the number of tournaments, Kozhikode stands fourth with three or four. Apart from these tournaments recognised by the Sevens Football Association, many local tournaments are held.

Multiple uses

Mr. Hameed says sevens football is centred on paddy fields and their availability. The football season starts when the paddy fields get dry by November. Makeshift galleries are then raised, attracting football fans from various parts of the district.

The love for football among the people of Malappuram is famous. Wherever football tournaments are held, they flock there in huge numbers. They go to watch football fests by hiring buses and vans. Mohanlal, actor, made a special mention of the people's love of football when he came to attend the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival finale held at the Malabar Special Police (MSP) grounds in Malappuram a few days ago.

Football lovers and players of Malappuram will never forget the MSP grounds, which used to be the launch-pad for many a famous player. People of Malappuram used to play football with the British police at the grounds. And many national-level footballers, like U. Sharafali and K.T. Chacko, serve the MSP. Mr. Sharafali is the Commandant and Mr. Chacko Assistant Commandant.

Malappuram district, particularly places such as Areekode, Mampad, Mankada and Kalikavu, has contributed many national and State players. Current players like Asif Zaheer, Basheer, and Javed are all from the district. Any time there will be a player or two from the district in the State team.

Rules of sevens football are different, as is the play timing. Red cards are rare. The offside rule has been much relaxed. The Sevens Football Association has made it mandatory for all players to register their names. Unregistered players cannot take part in the tournaments.

The love for football has earned the people many laurels. The Khader Ali Football Tournament being held in Perinthalmanna for many years has won its name from two football lovers called Khader and Ali. They died long ago, but their fame and love for football is still cherished.

The increasing love has, of late, begun to turn into hooliganism. Two lives were lost in recent months in football-related violence.

A man's hand was chopped off in retaliation for an attack in a football stadium. Violence has been on the rise in the football fields of Malappuram.