Draft:Saju Mathew
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Saju Mathew | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 December 1985 Alappuzha, Kerala, India |
| Occupation(s) | Kabaddi coach, former prison officer |
| Known for | Head coach of England Women's Kabaddi Team |
Saju Mathew (born 10 December 1985) is an Indian-born kabaddi coach and former player based in the United Kingdom. He is the current head coach of the England Women's National Kabaddi Team, and founder of the Royals Kabaddi Club and Queens Kabaddi Club. He led England to a silver medal finish at the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup and is considered a key figure in promoting kabaddi among South Asian communities in the UK.
Early life and migration
[edit]Mathew was born in Alappuzha, Kerala, India, to Kottarathil Philip Mathew, a retired Indian Army soldier, and Lillykutty, a homemaker. He moved to the United Kingdom in 2010 on a student visa to pursue studies in nursing. During this time, he supported himself with part-time work. He later worked as a Prison Officer at Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS), and currently works for Royal Mail. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/malayali-diaspora-raid-taylor/articleshow/79356786.cms
Personal life
[edit]Saju Mathew lives in Worcester, England, with his wife Merin Varghese (known as Litty) and their two daughters, Esa and Emily.
Playing career
[edit]Mathew served as the captain of the England Men’s Kabaddi Team, leading the squad in the 1st and 2nd European Kabaddi Championships. His leadership helped raise the profile of the sport across Europe. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/malayali-diaspora-raid-taylor/articleshow/79356786.cms
Coaching and club career
[edit]Mathew founded the Royals Kabaddi Club in Nottingham and Worcester, providing a platform for young kabaddi players in the UK. In 2023, he launched the Queens Kabaddi Club, a women’s kabaddi team also based in Worcester and Nottingham. The team made history by winning the first women's title in British Kabaddi League (BKL) Season 3.
Mathew has used kabaddi as a tool to promote cultural identity, gender inclusion, and youth engagement in the South Asian community. https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2025/03/11/kabaddi-world-cup-six-kerala-players-england-team.html https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2025/03/24/kabaddi-world-cup-six-kerala-players-england-team-silver-medals.html https://nrifocus.com/NRI-Focus/kabaddi-world-cup-2025-six-keralites-to-play-for-team-england/ https://www.threads.net/@saju_mathew_kottaram
England Women’s National Kabaddi Team
[edit]In 2025, Mathew was appointed head coach of the England Women's National Kabaddi Team. Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup, hosted in the West Midlands, United Kingdom, and won silver medals — the best result for the team in its history.
https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2025/03/11/kabaddi-world-cup-six-kerala-players-england-team.html https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2025/03/24/kabaddi-world-cup-six-kerala-players-england-team-silver-medals.html https://nrifocus.com/NRI-Focus/kabaddi-world-cup-2025-six-keralites-to-play-for-team-england/ https://www.threads.net/@saju_mathew_kottaram
Recognition and media
[edit]Mathew has been featured in several international media outlets:
- Times of India: Malayali diaspora raid Taylor
- Times of India: A mini Kerala in England squad
- Onmanorama: Six Kerala players in England squad
- Onmanorama: England wins silver
- NRI Focus: Six Keralites to play for England
- Gulf News: Four Kerala women to represent England
Legacy
[edit]Mathew is credited with growing kabaddi in the UK and building bridges between cultures. His focus on female athletes and grassroots training has made him a respected coach in the international kabaddi community.
Category:1985 births
Category:Living people
Category:Kabaddi coaches
Category:Indian expatriates in the United Kingdom
Category:People from Alappuzha
Category:British kabaddi players
Category:Indian kabaddi players
Category:Indian sports coaches