District Basketball Asociations

Kannur District Basketball Association started functioning in the year 1964 under the presidentship of Prof. N. P. Vijayaraghavan and secretaryship of Mr. A. C. M. Abdulla. Prof. N. P. Vijayaraghavan continued to be the president till 1979. Prof. E. Sathyanath was the secretary from 1970 to 1979. Adv. K. Gopalakrishnan was the president from 1979 to 2005. Mr. V. C. Hashim has been the secretary since 1979. Mr. M. Rayees was elected as the president in June 2005. He was an outstanding sportsman who represented Kerala State Cricket Team in Renji Trophy matches, Handball and Basketball in Senior Nationals. From 1964 onwards District league championship have been conducted and players representing Kannur District have been participating in the State Championship in all categories.

Achievements

In the Senior State Championship, Kannur Men Team got runner up once and Women Team won twice. Junior Girls team won the championship for the last two years. Youth girls team was the winner in 2005 and got 2nd place in 2003 & 2004.

Late Velandy Achuthan Master had a big role in the development of basketball in Kannur district. He was the physical education teacher attached to Mubark high school Tellicherry. He brought up an unbeaten team in the high school. He was the coach of Kerala State School Teams which won gold and silver medals in National School games. He was a great player who represented State team in the Senior National. He along with Mr. Sam Joseph, National coach, attended the coaching camp conducted by American Coach Mr.Cofman in 1952.

The following players of sports division Kanur represented the country in various international championships :-

Leelamma Thomas, Prasannakumari, Moly Bendict, Renney Vincent, Saly joseph, Betty Chacko, Gigi Thomas, Jeena Jose, Gigi Jose, Geo Jose, Regi A Sunny.

Leelamma, Jesi and Gigi are sisters from Kilyanthara. Jeena, Gigi & Geo are sisters from Cherupuzha. All are employed in Indian Railways. Leelamma and Prasanna Kumari Captained Indian Team. Aruna Padman of Tellicherry captained State women Team in National championship.

I. V. Cherian of SAI Trichur is from Chandanakampara. She represented the country in Asian School, Junior and Senior Championships and she is employed in Western Railway. Mr.Sunny Thomas a native of Chemperi represented India in men section and is currently playing for Customs and Central Exercise Cochin.