Calicut FC defender Rijohn Jose, 29, dies in Kozhikode bike crash; teammate critical
Synopsis
Calicut FC defender Rijohn Jose, 29 — a key figure in the club's 2024 Super League Kerala title win — died in a late-night bike collision in Kozhikode just days before the new season's kickoff. His teammate Gani Ahmed Nigam remains critically injured. The Kerala CM's office has condoled the death on X, and the wider Kerala football community is in mourning.
Key Takeaways
Rijohn Jose , 29 , defender for Calicut FC , died in a motorcycle accident near Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode , in the early hours of Monday, 22 September 2026 .
Teammate Gani Ahmed Nigam suffered serious head injuries and is under treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital .
The accident occurred around 10 pm Sunday as the two players returned from training at JDT Ground, Vellimadukunnu .
Rijohn was part of the Calicut FC squad that won the first Super League Kerala championship in 2024 .
Public viewing for Rijohn was held at EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut , from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Monday.
Kozhikode City Police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the collision.
Calicut FC defender Rijohn Jose, 29, died in a road accident in Kozhikode in the early hours of Monday, 22 September 2026, after his motorcycle collided with another bike near the flyover close to Malabar Christian College at around 10 pm on Sunday night. His teammate Gani Ahmed Nigam sustained serious head injuries in the same crash and remains hospitalised. The tragedy struck just days before the opening of the new Super League Kerala season.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to police, the two players were returning to their accommodation after a training session at the JDT Ground in Vellimadukunnu when their motorcycle was struck by another bike coming from the opposite direction. The impact threw both riders onto the road. Local residents and police responded swiftly, rushing them to a nearby hospital.
Rijohn, a native of Thrissur, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in the early hours of Monday. Calicut FC announced that his public viewing would be held at EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut, from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Monday. Kozhikode City Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Gani Ahmed Nigam's Condition
Gani Ahmed Nigam, who suffered serious head injuries, was first admitted to a private hospital before being transferred to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment. His condition is being closely monitored by doctors. Gani had represented Kerala in the most recent Santosh Trophy and was a confirmed member of the Calicut FC squad for the upcoming Super League Kerala campaign.
Who Was Rijohn Jose
Rijohn was an established name in Indian domestic football, having previously represented Forca Kochi, FC Kerala, FC Deccan, and Wayanad United, among other clubs. He was a key member of the Calicut FC team that won the first Super League Kerala title in 2024, and had continued to anchor the club's defensive line.
Tributes Pour In
The Kerala Chief Minister's Office condoled the death via a post on X, describing Rijohn as 'a talent who made outstanding contributions to the football scene in Kerala.' The post also wished Gani Ahmed a swift recovery, adding: 'Sharing in the grief of Rijo Jose's family members, friends, and sports enthusiasts. Our respects.'
Super League Kerala also posted its condolences on X, saying it was 'deeply saddened by the passing of Rijohn Jose of Calicut FC' and extended heartfelt sympathies to his family, teammates, and club. The Kerala Football Association and Calicut FC management expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a player widely regarded as a promising talent in Indian domestic football.
Shadow Over the New Season
Calicut FC had been in intensive pre-season preparations, with its opening fixture against Thiruvananthapuram Kombans scheduled for Saturday at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode. The sudden loss of a key defender has left the squad and management devastated, casting a heavy shadow over what was meant to be an eagerly anticipated season opener for Kerala football.
Point of View
Shared transport, and road networks that have claimed far too many young athletes. Rijohn was not a fringe player; he helped Calicut FC win Super League Kerala's inaugural title in 2024, and his death on the eve of a new season underlines how thinly the sport's welfare infrastructure is stretched. The Kerala football community's grief is genuine, but condolences from official handles and club statements need to translate into structural measures: safer player accommodation logistics, transport protocols, and insurance frameworks that match the ambitions the state has for the game.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rijohn Jose and which club did he play for?
Rijohn Jose was a 29-year-old defender for Calicut FC in the Super League Kerala. A native of Thrissur, he had previously represented Forca Kochi, FC Kerala, FC Deccan, and Wayanad United, and was a key member of the Calicut FC team that won the inaugural Super League Kerala title in 2024.
What happened in the Kozhikode bike accident?
On Sunday night around 10 pm, Rijohn Jose and his Calicut FC teammate Gani Ahmed Nigam were returning from training at JDT Ground in Vellimadukunnu when their motorcycle collided with another bike near the flyover close to Malabar Christian College in Kozhikode. Both were seriously injured; Rijohn succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Monday, while Gani remains hospitalised.
What is Gani Ahmed Nigam's current condition?
Gani Ahmed Nigam suffered serious head injuries in the crash and was initially admitted to a private hospital before being shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment. His condition is being closely monitored by medical staff.
How did Kerala's Chief Minister respond to the death?
The Kerala Chief Minister's Office condoled the death through a post on X, describing Rijohn as 'a talent who made outstanding contributions to the football scene in Kerala.' The post also extended prayers for Gani Ahmed's swift recovery and expressed solidarity with Rijohn's family, friends, and sports enthusiasts.
What impact does the death have on the Super League Kerala season?
Calicut FC was preparing to face Thiruvananthapuram Kombans in its season opener at EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday. The death of Rijohn, a key defender, has devastated the squad and cast a shadow over the start of the new Super League Kerala campaign.
