The unstoppable warriors

Chicago Kairali Lions

Team Info

The ritual for the Chicago Malayalee community in the early 1970s was to gather by the shores of Lake Michigan at Wilson Park (later known to the community as "MALAYALEE KUNNU,") to play their favorite sport of volleyball. As years went by, these gatherings developed into organized competitions for many community picnics. Competition intensified and by 1986, conversation at a picnic volleyball game resulted in the framework for the first interstate volleyball tournament among Malayalees. In doing so all volley ball lovers of Chicago came together and formed Chicago's KAIRALI LIONs.

This first volleyball competition among North American Malayalees took place on August 15, 1987 at St. Gregory High school in Chicago. The teams were Chicago Kairali Lions, Dallas Strikers and New York Spikers which resulted in Chicago winning the trophy. As the tournament moved to other states-first to Dallas and then New York when Philadelphia Philly Stars Joined. In Dallas during the 1989 tournament-the Kerala Volleyball League of North America (KVLNA) was formed.

The Kairali Lions of Chicago is proud to be instrumental in forming KVLNA and promoting the passion for the game of Volleyball among North American Malayalees as well as having many second and third generation of Malayalee youth excel in the sport of volleyball.

Executive Committee

• President -

  Prince Thomas

• Vice-President -

  Saneesh Thomas

• Secreatry -

  Beejoy Kappen

• Jt. Secreatry -

  Shibu

• Treasurer -

  Nimi Thuruthuvelil

• Auditor -

  Rintu Philip