Muhammad Ali. (Reuters Photo)

Kochi: “I just heard that Muhammad Ali breathed his last in America. He was a great sportsperson from Kerala. He flagged the fame of Kerala sky-high by winning a gold medal,” state sports minister E P Jayarajan told a Malayalam TV news channel soon after Muhammad Ali’s death started dominating headlines on Saturday, and the minister was approached to comment on the passing of the legend.

Apparently, the name sounded common enough and whoever this Ali was, he had obviously won many laurels. Since it concerned bereavement, and being the avid sports lover that he is, Kerala’s new sports minister was understandably keen to show how quick his reflexes were. In the event, it turned out to be knockout blow.

Though the channel did not air it again, recorded versions of the minister’s blooper went viral on social media. CPM functionaries are adept at rolling with the punch but this time Jayarajan, rather than sting like a bee, has more likely stirred a hornet’s nest!

