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Abdul Kareem Kanhirala is a visionary football enthusiast, former player, organiser, community leader and entrepreneur whose decades of commitment to grassroots and professional football has brought impactful developments, alongside his ventures in business, infrastructure and education. Born in Areekode, Malappuram, he is the 9th child of Abdulla Kanhirala and Fathimakutty NV. The Kanhirala family has a long history of being closely associated with sports and business, and Abdul Kareem carried that legacy forward.
An exceptional football player, he was a member of the Farook College football and athletics teams, and later represented Calicut University football team which finished as All India runners-up. His passion for football earned him employment through the sports quota in KSEB, where he represented the KSEB Football Club for several years before opting voluntary retirement to venture into business. He started with trading in his hometown, establishing Kanhirala Hardwares and Kanhirala Traders, and later moved into contracting with Frontline Builders, which contributed to key infrastructure projects in Areekode.
Under his leadership, the group associated with PEEVEEs Group and established Bridgeway Engineering in Calicut, executing major departmental works for PWD, CPWD, Indian Railways, roads and bridges. He is currently the Chairman of the upcoming project “Mauna,” a slow living resort scheduled for 2028. Parallelly, his love for football led him into administration and organisation. He served as President of Malappuram District Football Association for 16 years and Vice President of Kerala Football Association. During this period, he served as General Convenor for major tournaments including Santosh Trophy, Federation Cup and Super Cup of ISL, and also organised several regional tournaments including Kerala Kaumudi State Football Championship.
He is also credited as the key organiser of the first ticketed football tournament in Areekode. He is currently the owner of FC Areekode, which participates in the Kerala Premier League. As a community leader, he was the Charter President of Lions Club of Areekode and later elected as Cabinet Secretary of the Thrissur region. He is also the Founder President of Jaycees another Areekode chapter, both actively contributing to social service and charity in the region. Besides, he has been contributing significantly to education for over two decades. He is the Founder Chairman of Mices public school for the last 24 years and Director of Autonomous Sullamussalam Science College. As Director in charge of sports, he played a key role in bringing a sports hostel under the Kerala Sports Council and has contributed to multiple achievements of the institution in sports and games. Read More