How Sheffield United's sister club became known as Kerala United

Abdullah Alghamdi, group chief executive of United World, has explained the motives behind the organisation’s decision to rename its most recent acquisition.
By James Shield
Published 24th Feb 2021, 17:15 BST
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Kerala United, previously known as Calicut Quartz FC, became the latest addition to a portfolio of clubs headed by Sheffield United when UW purchased 100 percent of its shares towards the end of last year.

UW, which is registered in Geneva, also includes Belgian top-flight outfit Beerschot and Al-Hilal United, a lower league club based in Dubai, on its roster with further additions expected shortly.

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Kerala United are now based in Malappuram, recognised as India’s fastest growing city.

Football is growing in popularity in India, which has traditionally been viewed as a cricket mad country: Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesFootball is growing in popularity in India, which has traditionally been viewed as a cricket mad country: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Football is growing in popularity in India, which has traditionally been viewed as a cricket mad country: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“The football club was renamed in honour of the state which hosts the team,” Alghamdi said. “Kerala’s state bird, the Great Hornbill, was chosen to be the club’s logo and its nickname is The Hornbills.”

Kerala United will compete in the I League 2, the second tier of India’s domestic game, after the local media reported their application for promotion to the top-flight was rejected. The I League itself is one of two co-existing premier leagues in the country, alongside the Indian Super League, with its champions granted entrance into the AFC Cup. Al-Ahed, from the Lebanese capital Beirut, are the current holders of the trophy.

“With the support of the Kerala community and local authorities, we are confident that we can achieve our ambitious goals and make Kerala United a success story for both the United (World) group and the local community,” Alghamdi told journalists in the region when the deal was announced.

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Related topics:IndiaKerala