The people from Kerala, fondly called the Malayalees, are an integral part of the health care system in Ireland for the last couple of decades. The last few years have witnessed a steady growth of Indians relocating to Ireland for higher studies or working at tech and non tech industries.

The last two decades have seen these families growing and the next generation of kids are in to their late teens. Kerala is famous globally for its tourism however if you ask any Malayalee they will say that football is one of the most popular games played in the state. The state which has seen many players represent the national team, is famous for its short format of the game. The 7-a-side football tournaments is one of a kind that you get to see in Kerala. The support, craze and aura is nothing less than watching an international league game.

The football ecosystem is great in Ireland and the Kerala communities in Ireland have made sure that they continue the spirit of 7-a-side football in Ireland. The island nation now has around 10-12 tournaments happening with the season starting around end of Feb and going on till November. The number of teams are also going up each year, with now around 25 senior teams and around 20 under age teams playing in these tournaments.

Kerala House is a socio cultural club , with participation from the Mallu community who have been living in Ireland. Apart from the amazing social and cultural work done by this club, Kerala House has played an integral role in the nurturing of Indians in Ireland who love to play football. The current ecosystem is now a highly competitive level of football , courtesy the slow and steady in flux of football in to the young legs of the next generation by Kerala House and also to the growing population of new football lovers who have relocated in the last 4-5 years into Ireland.

The first football tournament conducted by Kerala House was in 2016. However , KH has been supporting and encouraging kids to be part of this beautiful game. The volunteers of Kerala House over the years have played an amazing role in encouraging the young talents to learn and play football.

The kids who started playing in the mid 2010s are now playing high intensity football in the senior level. A look at the faces then and now , along with the way they are playing now will give a glimpse of how the football ecosystem have grown in the last decade.

The number of kids who were joining the regular sessions during those days will also give an indication of the number of senior players who are around playing the game now. Many of the then emerging players have gone ahead and made a mark in many senior and college teams in Ireland.

The volunteers have been an important part in this journey that has unearthed lot of these talents in these years.

Kerala House tournament which started in 2016 has also gone through transition in the last 8-9 years. A look at the 2019, 2023 and 2024 posters will give an idea of the growth of this ecosystem.

In 2025, the Kerala House football tournament took place on the 2nd of June, 2025. An amazing a football carnival with 12 Above 30 age group category teams, 12 Under 30 age group teams, and a whopping 20 teams taking part in various under age categories. A total of 44 teams participated in the football tournament. 11 hours of non stop high quality football action. The uniqueness of Kerala House tournaments is that the people organising them have been around for years and have put in lots of work into this just because they are really passionate about football.

It is great to see the next generation taking the roles of mentors for the kids now. Great way to pass on the learnings and experiences.

Community and Sports play a major role in the integration of people who relocate and move countries. The way in which the teams which have players who have relocated from India for work / study have found their own niche space among this ecosystem created by Kerala House and other similar communities is really the true spirit of sports. An amazing way to welcome and make them part of the life.

Thanks to everyone who are involved at Kerala House and all the other communities (almost 100 of them now -maybe its time to write an article on them as well soon ) in nurturing football and keeping everyone fit and active.

Adding a few photos from the archives here , though will never be able to capture all the action which has been taking places for the last 10-15 years.

Jogo Bonito – the beautiful game …!!! Ultimately football is the winner…!!!