Kerala Sports Minister Thinks Muhammad Ali Was A Malayali Athlete

In what will be remembered as one of the greatest bloopers of all time by a politician, Kerala Sports Minister EP Jayarajan said on Saturday that the legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali had in his 'heydays won gold medals and made Kerala famous in the world of sports'.

The 74-year-old American boxer, who passed away late on Friday, was hailed as the ‘Pride Of Kerala’ by the minister who thinks Ali won gold medals for the god's own country.

Jayarajan was asked to comment on Ali’s death by a regional news channel.

"I just heard that Muhammad Ali died in the US. He was a prominent personality in sports in Kerala. He has won gold medal and made Kerala famous in the world of sports," the minister is heard saying to Manorama News TV Channel in the video.



The sports minister was trolled on social media for his foot-in-the-mouth comment.

#ജയരാജൻ Lal Salaam Comrade. The Gold medal should go the ppl who made you sports minister.

— Rakesh Kombra (@rakeshkombra) June 4, 2016

#LolSalam #ജയരാജൻ Disgrace to most literate state.

— Bhavanisms ® (@Bhavanisms) June 4, 2016

Yet another tweet read:

Kerala sports ministry is in good hands. Next five years will be remembered forever.#ജയരാജൻhttps://t.co/UYdyBMBeCa

— Jineesh (@jineesh_blr) June 4, 2016

Ali was battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years. His funeral will be held in his hometown in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, June 6.


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