KEFA History

Late 1960s-1970s, UAE experienced significant infrastructure development. The discovery of oil and the subsequent economic boom provided avenues for employment and attracted workers from Kerala.Football is indeed considered a passion and a deeply cherished sport in the state of Kerala, India.
The love and enthusiasm for football in Kerala can sometimes be compared to religious fervor due to the immense popularity and dedicated fan base the sport enjoys in the region. These Kerala workers in the UAE often engage in casual football games, often organizing informal football matches among friends, colleagues, and community members. These matches are usually played in parks, community fields, or designated sports facilities.
Expats from Kerala often form their own teams and compete against other expat teams, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.These small football teams have football laws designed as per the time and number of matches and generally refer to adaptations made to accommodate specific time constraints or varying match formats.

2000s and onwards, The 21st century witnessed a continued influx of Malayalees to the UAE. With the expansion of 7 Emirates , many football playing groups have formed teams. Therefore, there was an increased demand for football events.

Many corporate sponsors also started promoting tournaments and pitching their company teams for their employees to get a work-life balance and fitness

Achieving a work-life balance while pursuing a career in the UAE can be a challenge, but KEFA made it possible by making a platform for many professional football players to come from India to UAE and play for financial benefits.

KEFA association has brought professionalism into football competitions and shifted sevens football from 10 minutes duration to a 20 minute game. KEFA also implemented months-long football tournaments such as “KEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE“ for its members and promoted many big elevens football tournaments with the support of KEFA members, Indian football fans and corporate sponsors in the UAE .

Today, KEFA association provides a governing body that establishes rules, regulations, and standards for the ground and ensures fair competition, upholds the integrity of the game, and maintains a level playing field for all participants.

The KEFA association sets guidelines for player's discipline, match conduct, and disciplinary actions, among other important aspects.