Most of the Indians especially Keralites embrace “Soccer Mania” in their life like Arabs or nationals of other soccer loving nations. For expats, soccer is a good sport to overcome stress, maintain good health and a social platform to bring together Pravasi Indians of different states and culture.

It has been around thirty-five years that Indian football teams exist in Riyadh region. Since there were not many Indian teams at that time, the players and teams played with international teams and participated in their tournaments..

It was Mr. P.C. Ali, Mr. Alavi Haji, Kammu who formed Central Brothers Club (CBI), the first Club among the Keralites. In the beginning of nineties Mr. Yousef Thalasseri, Mr. Mansoor Kannur, Mr. Basheer Pazhour and Mr. Abdul Salam Chalakudi and Shakeeb formed Star Sports Club. After that Kerala soccer teams and players became more active and started playing with Goa Sevens Tournaments and participated in many Embassy club tournaments. Understanding the need to organize and maintain these upcoming teams and players in a professional way and to improve the culture among the Indian Community, it was decided to form a governing body.

Thus, Riyadh Indian Football Association (RIFA) a non-profit association was formed in 2012 in Riyadh. The objective of RIFA is to promote soccer as a sport, to facilitate soccer clubs and teams and provide soccer training to the youth & adults. RIFA contributes to improve and popularize the game of soccer constantly and promote throughout Saudi Arabia. RIFA will also play an important role in unifying the teams and players, educate and update regarding the fundamentals of the sport, develop cultural and humanitarian values among the teams and players and create love for the sport among expats in general.

RIFA shall affiliate itself with the Indian Football Federation, Kerala Football association and apply upon itself the general rules and practices of the Federation international de Football Association (FIFA). Through these affiliations, RIFA will become the officially represented and sanctioned governing body for Indian Soccer Players and Clubs active in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RIFA shall promote and ensure friendly relations between Members, Clubs, Officials and players. Every individual playing for organizations registered with RIFA shall oblige to the statuses, regulations and principles laid down by the association.

Mr. Beeran Kozhikode, Mr. Mujeeb Upada and Mr. Devan Palakkad are the Founder President, Secretary & Treasurer of the committee. Mr. Naushad Koramath, Mr. Shakeeb Kolakadan, Mr. Abdullah Valanchira, Mr. Naser Karanthur are the advisory members of the committee. Around 24 clubs are registered for the premier league tournament and the Divisions of the teams are categorized every two year.

RIFA Club has completed seven years of service and has contributed extensively towards the welfare and skill development of soccer players through its various programs and facilitated the Indian Community.

Sincerely yours,

Riyadh Indian Football Association(RIFA)