Dubai footballer Rijohn Jose remembered for winning cups and hearts before fatal Kerala crash

Building a football legacy in Dubai

A week after the death of footballer Rijohn Jose in Kerala, the Dubai community that knew him best is preparing to honour a player whose impact stretched far beyond the pitch.

While tributes for the 29-year-old Calicut FC defender played out publicly in his home state following the September 20 motorcycle crash that claimed his life, his football family in the UAE mourned privately, planning their own commemoration when the local season begins.

Rijohn, a native of Thrissur, died in the early hours of September 21 after the motorcycle he was travelling on with fellow Calicut FC player Gani Ahmed Nigam collided with another bike near Christian College on Gandhi Road flyover in Kozhikode. The accident occurred around 10.30pm, just days before the start of Super League Kerala Season 3.

The crash reflects a broader road safety crisis in Kerala. State Crime Records Bureau data shows the region recorded 98,723 road accidents in 2024 and 2025 combined, resulting in more than 7,613 deaths and over 111,000 injuries. Motorcycles accounted for 57.8 per cent of all road traffic accidents in Kerala's urban areas, with over-speeding identified as a leading cause in more than one-third of incidents.

Building a football legacy in Dubai

For the past three years, Rijohn had been a Dubai resident, working with companies that allowed him to play for their amateur football clubs under the Kerala Expats Football Association (KEFA). The organisation, established in 2024, has grown to encompass approximately 1,500 registered players and 150 clubs across the UAE, organising over 100 tournaments annually.

Thanveer Jan, owner of Keynes Group and Keynes Football Club, described Rijohn as more than a player who turned out for the team. He was part of the wider company family, having worked with Keynes Group through its consultancy services while representing the club on the pitch.

"He was the biggest strength of the team. Everyone was shocked and saddened by his untimely death."

The club now plans to support Rijohn's family, particularly in helping them build a home of their own. "He cannot be replaced. All that we can do now is to support his family, especially in building a home of their own because they are still living in a rented house," Thanveer added.

Tribute planned for new season

Haris Pottengatt, who helped establish Keynes FC, said teammates had expected Rijohn to return to UAE pitches after Super League Kerala concluded. "We were looking forward to his return when KEFA's local season begins. The new season is scheduled to get underway with the Kerala Champions League in October. Instead, we will be paying tribute to him," he said.

The KEFA Champions League features Indian international players who have competed in prominent tournaments including ISL, I-League, and Santosh Trophy, representing teams such as Kerala Blasters, ATK, Bangalore FC, and Mumbai City.

Noushad K Kunhimoyin, KEFA general secretary, confirmed the organisation would arrange a befitting tribute when the season begins as planned in October. "He was a member of our family, and we will definitely organise a tribute that is befitting of him," he said. "It's a great loss for football and KEFA. Our representatives attended his funeral and conveyed our condolences."

Championship pedigree

Rijohn had travelled to Kerala for a break and to play in Super League Kerala Season 3, a franchise-based professional competition jointly organised by Kerala Football Association and Scoreline Sports to develop football at grassroots level and provide platforms for young players.

His team, Calicut FC, had won the inaugural Super League Kerala title in November 2024, defeating Forca Kochi FC 2-1 in the final at EMS Corporation Stadium. The champions received Rs 1 crore in prize money following their victory before a crowd of 35,672 spectators. The inaugural season featured 32 matches with 81 goals across six competing teams.

Though Kannur Warriors won the second season in December 2025, Calicut FC maintained strong form, recording the longest unbeaten run of six matches and drawing the highest attendance of 34,137 for a match against Malappuram.

Friendship across borders

Rijohn's closest friendship in the UAE was with Sajith KS, a childhood friend from Kerala who shared his passion for football. Uthaman K.P. Kodathur, who facilitated their entry into UAE football, recalled how the pair made it a condition that one would come only if the other did too.

"In the end, both did, and the friendship that had begun on Kerala's football fields continued on the pitches of the UAE, first at Volga FC and later at Keynes FC."

Jishar Kanakkott, Rijohn's former club manager at Volga FC, described him as a star of local tournaments whose performances in the UAE helped shape his football career. When he was with Volga, Rijohn helped the team win several tournaments and earned individual honours, including Best Defender of the Season.

His winning streak continued at Keynes FC, where the defender became known for his strength, sharp reading of the game and ability to hold the backline. Yet those who knew him say he never sought the spotlight that came with winning.

"He was quiet and disciplined, never one to seek attention even as one of the most important players on the pitch. His leadership came through composure and presence rather than noise."

Jishar added: "Everyone loved him and respected him for the great human being he was."

Some of Rijohn's friends and fellow footballers in the UAE, including Sajith, attended his funeral and a special mass held in his memory. For them, matches will never be the same without a defender whose presence, they say, cannot be replaced.