Malappuram

_____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Malappuram (Malayalam: മലപ്പുറം) is a municipality and administrative headquarters of Malappuram district in the South Indian state of Kerala. Malappuram is situated 50 km southeast of Kozhikode and 90 km northwest of Palakkad on the Kozhikode (Calicut) - Chennai road (NH 213).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Malappuram had a population of 58,490. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Malappuram has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 79%. In Malappuram, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age. A large number of males work in GCC countries and recently a Passport office was started at Malappuram due to pressure from the expatriate community.

History

This place still has the ruins of an ancient fort built by Tipu Sultan. Malappuram was the headquarters of European and British troops and later it became the headquarters of the Malabar Special Police. The hill country has also contributed much to the cultural heritage of Kerala. It was a famous centre for Hindu-Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy. The temples and the mosques of this district are well-known for their spectacular festivals. Along with historic monuments and diverse natural attractions, a range of cultural and ritual art forms add to its value as a destination worth visiting.

Malappuram (literally, 'on top of the hills') is packed with hills and valleys, the river Kadalundi calmly flowing down to join the Arabian Sea can be seen from the Civil Station. Deep down the Civil station, crossing the river Kadalundi, you reach the picturesque Village called Ummathoor. Aanakkadavu Bridge, connects Ummathoor to Malappuram.

Tourism

At Kottakkunnu one can see traces of the first fort to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. This scenic table-top location is located at the crest of the Cantonment Hill near the district collectorate. Now it have changed as a top tourist place in malabar. More peoples are visiting here everyday.

Malappuram; The Heartland of Football

(article written by prominent football (soccer) writer MM JAFARKHAN )

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." And it isn’t just local heroes like Javeed that the football fans of Malappuram adore. You have to visit the district during the Football World Cup matches to see how devoted they are to the game. Big banners supporting Brazil, Argentina, Holland or Germany would be there all over the district, and people would reschedule their lifestyles according to the telecast schedule of the matches.

During the “CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF MALAPPURAM” the football fans have been switching off their television sets in the evenings to go to the Government BHSS Ground in Manjeri to catch some live action (‘live' not as on television).

As Malappuram does not have a single football stadium, all the football tournaments have to be played on such school grounds or paddy fields. "We badly need a pucca stadium in Malappuram," says M Mohammed Salim, the Secretary of the Malappuram District Football Association. Javeed says, "A stadium would be a big boost for football in the district." "Imagine the kind of crowds you would get for a Santosh Trophy in Malappuram," he adds. "The district deserves a stadium of its own! The people here adore this game and Malappuram has contributed fine players to the Kerala and Indian teams." Malappuram may lack the infrastructure, but it has its own popular ‘Sevens' football tournaments, and more new young players continue to emerge like Shameel, Firoz, Jamsheer and Ramesh.