Thachanattukara: Those who show their hands to these buses will always remember the ball game. The bus itself is called FIFA. The owner was so obsessed with football that he named all his buses after FIFA. FIFA Buses is owned by Manachithodi Muhammadali, who is also a former footballer and a native of Koduvalikund, Mannarkkad.
In 2002, Mohammadali, who was non-resident, joined the bus service, which he loved as a youngster. When I bought the first bus on the Kundurkun to Mannarkkad route, it was World Cup season, so I didn’t think twice. The name of the bus was FIFA. Mohammadali remembers that in the beginning most of the bus crew were football enthusiasts and players. With a touch of football even in the name and graphics of the buses, the passengers also started to like the name FIFA.
Even after two more services were started on the Mutukurshi Kacheriparam and Kulapadam Mannarkkad routes, the name of the buses continued to be FIFA. Mohammadali’s name that did not leave the football atmosphere gradually became Mohammadali’s FIFA. Muhammadali is now District President of Kerala Sevens Football Association, Joint Secretary of Mannarkkad Football Association and office bearer of Bus Owners Association.
He is active in organizing sevens football fairs and charity work in different parts of the area. Mohammadali says he is proud to be known for football. Their own football bus is the charm of football lovers with children and young people on the routes.
