Jimmy George
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (July 2006) |
| Jimmy George | |
 |
|
| Born | 8 March 1955 Peravoor, Kannur, Kerala, India |
|---|---|
| Died | 30 November 1987 Italy |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Volley ball player |
| Employers | Kerala Police |
| Known for | Being the only Indian volley ball player to play for a professional foreign club |
| Children | Joseph George |
| Parents | George Joseph, Mary George |
Jimmy George (born March 8, 1955 in Peravoor, died November 30, 1987) is a legendary volley ball player from Kerala, India. He is the first Indian volley ball player to become a professional. He played club volleyball in Italy and was regarded as one of the best ten Players of the world. He was an instant success and a legend in his own lifetime.
Contents |
[edit] Rise to Fame
Jimmy had great regard for Kalavoor Gopinath as a coach. Jimmy's maternal uncle Prof. M.T. Emmanuel had also been a source of perennial strength to him. The meteoric rise of this volleyball wizard started in 1970 when he became the member of the Calicut University team.
In 1973, he joined St. Thomas College, Palai and became the captain of the Kerala University team. He represented Calicut University thrice and Kerala University four times. The Kerala University won the All India Inter-University Championship in all these four years. He secured a berth in the Kerala State Team at the age of 16, in 1971, and thereafter he has represented the State nine times.
He represented the country in Tehran (1974), Bangkok (1978), and 1986 Seoul Asian Games. He was not in the Indian team in the 9th Asian Games, New Delhi as he was away abroad. He has played for India in the test matches against the Japanese Team when they visited in 1985. He was the Captain of the Indian team that played at Saudi Arabia in 1985. He led the Indian team to victory in India Gold Cup International Volleyball Tournament at Hyderabad in 1986.
Jimmy remained fully committed to volleyball. He quit the Medical College in 1976 to join Kerala Police and remained a member of the police team till his death.
Jimmy had a great vision about the future of Indian Volleyball. He had an ambitious project for catching budding talents and training them. An Asian medal for India was another one of his dreams. This was materialised in 1986 Asian Games. Achutha Kurup, the Indian Coach, later wrote that it was mainly because of Jimmy that India won the bronze medal at Seoul.
He also had a dream for winning the All India Police Championship for Kerala. This he achieved in 1985. He also dreamt of winning the National title for Kerala though it remained unfulfilled during his life time. However, in 1997, Kerala boys materialised it.
[edit] Early Death
Jimmy died in a car accident in Italy on November 30, 1987 at the age of 33. His son Joseph George was born just two months after his death.
[edit] Awards
Jimmy received all major awards any Indian sportsman could dream of. The most important of it is the great Arjuna Award. Jimmy is the youngest volleyball player to win Arjuna Award at the age of 21.
He was given G.V. Raja Award in 1975 and won Manorama Award for the best Sportsman of Kerala in 1976. He was adjudged the best player in the Gulf Region while engaged with Abudhabi Sports Club from 1979-82. He was engaged with professional clubs in Italy from 1982 to 84 and 85 to 87 and was considered as one of the best attackers of the world.
[edit] Additional Information
Following his untimely demise in 1987, Jimmy's dear ones have established a trust known as Jimmy George Foundation to carry on his dreams. The Foundation has instituted an award for the best sports person of Kerala. The award is highly respected among the sports enthusiasts of Kerala. The Foundation has also instituted cash awards at St. Joseph's High School, Peravoor and at Devagiri College.
The Government of Kerala has dedicated its Indoor Stadium at Trivandrum to the memory of Jimmy George. At St. Thomas College, Pala, a volleyball stadium has been built after his name. A stadium and a road at Peravoor have been named after Jimmy.
His admirers and friends in Italy too have dedicated an indoor stadium in his memory at Montichiari, Brescia, and organized an annual junior tournament in his memory.
