DISTRICT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

George Zachariah Cheeran

Change is the tangible result of growth. The Trichur District Basket Ball Association started functioning in 1956 and promptly propagated and promoted Basketball in Trichur District. The present generation should be grateful to the succession of able office bearers who presided over the destinies of the Association so successfully.

Mr. T.D. John of Kandassankadavu, the first President had the valuable gift for turning defects into virtues. His son Josy John, the Joint Secretary, had a rich fund of administrative talent and experience. Thampi Verghese organised a State Championship at Kunnamkulam back in 1969.

The steady growth and development of Basketball in Trichur District especially in Kunnamkulam, the Mecca of former Cochin State Basket Ball, is an eloquent testimony to the Care and Vigilance of many veterans like C.V.K. Tharu, Prof. C.P. Verghese, Principal of Physical Education College, Kozhikode, C.V. Mathew B.A.B.T., Jose Itturbe and others.

It was during the tenure of P.I. Pappachen as President and George Zachariah Cheeran as Secretary that the Association reached the highest level of prosperity. I may even say that 1976-1990 formed the heyday of the Association. Time flies but the work remains.

The present President P.J. Sunny, Secretary, P.P. Verghese (Sabu) are profound scholars of the game and a rare combination of playing skill and coaching talent. The Association is making rapid progress under their able guidance. Mathew Chemmannoor, Treasurer brightens our finance.

Prof. M. C. Radhakrishnan was a keen Director of Physical Education at Sree Kerala Varma College and also of Basketball in Trichur District During his regime he developed prodigiously a number of players. Prof. A. V. Suresh is consolidating and greatly extending the work of his predecessor. Joseph Chacko of Don. Bosco High School, Irinjalakuda is one of the great builders of Junior Basketball players. The Association owes to his untiring Zeal and unremitting labour. Sri. P.C. antony is becoming a fabulous coach. The good that he is doing is substantial.

Sree Kerala Varma College and Don Bosco H.S. Irinjalakuda are two power towers in Basketball to us today. It is but fitting that on an occasion like this we feel proud to mention here the honours brought to us by players late C.I. Verghese, Late M.L. Edwin, M.G. Rajan, K.K. Kochukuttan, Rajapaul, Renji Paul, Balakrishnan, C.I. Thanappan, Babu Mathews, T.K.Chinnan, Balan, Venkity, Sabu, James Cheeran and a host of others.

Lately T.S. Abilash is attaining reputation as one of the best players of the State.

C.I. Verghese is the first and last player to don Indian Colours from Trichur District. M.G. Rajan is the only player in the State to represent Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Indian Railways on various occasions.

The District Basketball Association tries to Inspire the players to bring out the best during the years ahead.