Liverpool businessman watched World in One City tournament and knew what to do

A Liverpool businessman knew what he has to do after watching the World in One City tournament.

Kal Mohamed took over running the family business which began over 45 years ago. His father arrived from Yemen and soon after started a newsagents in the Anfield area.

The 48-year-old has been in the family business all of his life. About 30 years ago the newsagent also went into the fireworks trade and has since grown both businesses.

READ MORE: The Liverpool football competition rivalling the Euros for excitement

READ MORE: Win a £25 Just Eat gift card in our amazing Euro 2024 prize giveaway

Kal told the ECHO: "My dad came here in the late 1970s and started a newsagents shop, on Breck Road. He grew the business and worked very hard, and I followed in his footsteps.

"I loved the shop game and I’ve been in trade nearly all my life. He taught me what to do and I’ve implemented it and moved it on.

"About 30 years ago we, well I, went into the firework game (Anfield Fireworks). I love fireworks, I'm obsessed with them, I’ve been doing them all my life."

Kal added: "We built it up over the years to become the biggest firework shop in Liverpool and probably one of the biggest in England. We can't be beaten on price, which helps a lot of people in these difficult financial times."

The newsagents run by family, and friends was originally a single corner shop until they expanded into a double shop. The fireworks shop was separated from the newsagents more than 20 years ago.

Unlike many pop-up firework shops you see leading up to Bonfire Night, Anfield Fireworks is open all year round. The demand for fireworks has grown with people wanting them for various occasions throughout the year.

Kal said: "We don't do displays ourselves, we have done a couple of community ones over the past few years. We supply the Caribbean Centre, rugby firms, football teams who do celebrations and for big events.

"The fireworks progressed and keeping the shop open all year we've gone massive. We do gender reveals, weddings, parties, birthdays, even funerals are becoming quite popular and Valentine's Day."

He and his father were lovers of football. His father was a Liverpool fan and Kal used to go to the game a lot growing up so close to Anfield stadium. His passion remains but this year he turned his attention to community football and the World in One City (WIOC) tournament that began in 2021 by Toxteth man, Imad Ali.

The WIOC brings together people from their national heritage, with 16 teams qualifying to play for the title of World Champions. This year's event is again being held at Jericho Lane in Otterspool.

Kal said: "The last few years it's been very special. Last year it was something that hit me because I seen the community, the atmosphere, the commitment of the boys, the fans and all these different countries getting together, and there was something special in the air. I felt, what a great atmosphere.

“It was unique and it was good to see people like that, especially through the hard times we’re going through. It was great to see and I thought, I love what they’re doing, it feels like I need to be a part of this."

In need of new sponsorship Kal saw his chance as he "really wanted to play some part in it", and said: "Luckily for us we got in there early and we were more than happy. We love what the boys do, they don't stop. Big up Imad, Sam, Errol, all of them.

"We’re the main sponsors and I’m proud to be. It's been worth every penny. It's been brilliant, absolutely brilliant".

Kal and Anfield Fireworks also sponsor Granby Toxteth Athletic (GTA) basketball. Other sponsors of the WIOC includes; Applied Nutrition, Archii, Carpenters Group, Win Win Water and Soccer Locker.

He’s enjoying this year's tournament and looking forward to the final on Sunday June 30 at Jericho Lane. This will see the 2022 winners England face Libya, who as underdogs have taken some big scalps by beating the first winners, in 2021, Nigeria in the quarter finals and then the Somali Team.

Kal said: "This year it’s special again, players, managers, it's been great and the fans are great, they’re such a laugh. It's been electric, I’m made up and, honestly, without the fans it would be dead wouldn’t it.

He concluded: "My advice to any business out there is you should do something. Get involved as it’s always good to put a bit back into the community. I think it's good and I think you should always give something back. This is probably one of the best things I want to donate to.

For information on WIOC visit HERE and for Anfield Fireworks HERE

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

Win a £100 Amazon gift card in our amazing Euro 2024 prize giveaway