SPORTS
JIMMY GEORGE - THE LIVING LEGEND (1955-1987)
This legendary volley ball player originally hails from Peravoor - Iritty of Kerala, India. He is regarded as the first Indian volleyball player to become a professional. In Italy, he has played club volleyball and for his performance he was regarded as one amidst the best ten Players of the world. In his own lifetime, he was an instant success and a legend.
Jimmy George was born to George Joseph and Mary George on 8th March in the year 1955 in Peravoor, in Kannur district of Kerala. Jimmy learnt the primary lessons in volleyball from his father, a university-level player of his time. He played for St. Joseph's High School in Peravoor and was just 16 when he was picked up to play for the State in the National Championship held in Jamshedpur in '71.
But the real player in Jimmy flowered when he went to Devagiri College in Calicut. Together with his brother Jose, he represented Calicut University from 1970 to 1972. As a student of St. Thomas College in Palai and Medical College, Trivandrum, he played for Kerala University for Kerala University for four years and helped the University to win the Inter-University Championships from 1973 to 1976. He captained the University team in 1973, He left his " medical studies in 1976 to join the Kerala Police as Circle Inspector.
Kalavoor Gopinath was the coach of Jimmy and Jimmy had a great regard for him as a coach. At the age of 16, in the year 1971, he secured a permanent position in the Kerala State Team. After that he has exemplified the State for nine times. Jimmy George has represented his native country in Tehran in the year 1974, Bangkok in the year 1978 and in the year 1986 in Seoul at the Asian Games. In the test matches against the Japanese Team at the time of their visit to the country in the year 1985, he has played for India. In the very same year he was made the captain of Indian Team, that played at Saudi Arabia. In India Gold Cup International Volleyball Tournament held at Hyderabad in the year '86, the Indian team led to victory under his captaincy. Jimmy represented Kerala in the Nationals till 1979. He took leave from the Kerala Police in 1979 and went to the Gulf to play for Abu Dhabi Sports Club. He left Abu Dhabi in 1982 to join Coletto Club at Treviso in Italy and played for them for a season. He then switched to System Impiani and played for them in 1983-84. Returning to India he began his second phase of association with the game. He rejoined Kerala Police, played his last Nationals at Kanpur in 1985 and went back to Italy to play for Arrital team. In 1987-88 he signed a contract with Eurostyle - Euroslba team at Montchiari in Brescia and it was during that period that he died in a car crash.
Jimmy is perhaps the youngest volleyball player to be conffered the Arjuna Award at the age of 21. In the year 1975, he was given G.V. Raja Award and in the year '76, he has won the Manorama Award for the best Sportsman of Kerala. While engaged with Abudhabi Sports Club during the year from 1979 to '82, he was declared to be the best player in the Gulf Region. From 1982 to 84 and 85 to 87, he was actively employed with professional clubs in Italy and was regarded as one of the best attackers of the world.
At the age of 33, Jimmy died in a car accident in Italy on November 30th, 1987. The Government of Kerala, to the memory of Jimmy George has solemnly dedicated its Indoor Stadium at Trivandrum. A volleyball stadium at St. Thomas College, Pala, has been built after his name. At Peravoor a stadium and road have been named after Jimmy. In his memory, his supporters and friends in Italy too have consecrated an indoor stadium at Montichiari, Brescia, and also formed an annual junior tournament in his memory. The Jimmy George Club at Peravoor is also devising tournaments and training camps. The Italians honoured Jimmy by dedicating a new indoor stadium to his memory. The Italians have seen top class volleyball players in their country.
" Jimmy George lives on as a legend in the hearts of his admirers. "
LEKHA THOMAS
Lekha Thomas wins the Bronze medal and Bobby Aloysius the fourth place in the Junior Asiad at Delhi in 1993
1995 Jakarta (ATF) :Lekha Thomas 5th in Long Jump (6.30) 6th in Triple Jump (12.71)
1998 Bangkok Lekha Thomas Long Jump and Triple Jump
Place: Vallithode - Iritty. School: St. Joseph's High School Kunnoth.