Jimmy George
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Jimmy George | |
|---|---|
| File:Jimmygeorge1.jpg | |
| Born | 8 March 1955 |
| Died | 30 November 1987 (aged 32) |
| Cause of death | Car accident |
| Resting place | Peravoor( Thondiyil), Kannur,Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Jimmy George Kudakkachira, Kudakkachira J G |
| Occupation | Volley ball player |
| Employer | Kerala Police |
| Known for | Being the only Indian volleyball player to play for a professional foreign club |
| Children | Joseph George |
| Parent(s) | George Joseph, Mary George |
Jimmy George (born March 8, 1955 in Peravoor, died November 30, 1987) who was often considered as one of the greatest volleyball player of all times. He was the first Indian volleyball player to become a professional and played club volleyball in Italy.He is considered to be one of the ten best volleyball players of all times.
Career
Jimmy George was born to the famous Kudakkachira family and learned to play volleyball from his father, a former university-level player. He played for St. Joseph's High School in Peravoor. In 1970, George became member of the University of Calicut volleyball team. In 1973, he joined St. Thomas College, Pala .Jimmy represented the Kerala University four times from 1973 to 1976. The Kerala team won the All India Inter-University Championship during these four years. He was the Captain of the team in 1973. He secured a berth in the Kerala State Team at the age of 16, in 1971, and thereafter he represented the State nine times. In 1976, George quit medical college to join Kerala Police where he remained a member of the police team until his death.
George played for India's volleyball team in the Asian Games in Tehran (1974), Bangkok (1978) and in Seoul (1986) where India won the bronze medal. He was captain of the Indian team that played at Saudi Arabia in 1985, and led the Indian team to victory in India Gold Cup International Volleyball Tournament at Hyderabad in 1986.
Awards
At age 21, George was the youngest volleyball player to win the Arjuna Award. He was given the G.V. Raja Award in 1975 and won the Manorama Award, for the best sportsman of Kerala, in 1976. He was judged the best player in the Gulf Region while playing for Abu Dhabi Sports Club, from 1979-82. He played as a professional in Italy from 1982-1984 and 1985-1987, and in his prime was considered one of the best attackers of the world. In 2000, Malayala Manorama, one of India's largest circulated newspapers, honored him as the best sportsman of Kerala of the 20th century.
Early death
George died in a car accident in Italy on November 30, 1987, at the age of 32. His son Joseph George was born just two months after his death. Following his death, the Jimmy George Foundation was established, which in 1989 instituted Jimmy George Award for best sportsperson of Kerala. The Foundation also makes available cash awards at St. Joseph's High School, Peravoor, and at Devagiri College.
The government of Kerala dedicated its indoor stadium at Trivandrum as the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium. At St. Thomas College, Pala, a volleyball stadium is named for him, as were a stadium and a road at Peravoor. An indoor stadium in Italy was dedicated in his memory at Montichiari, Brescia, and an annual junior tournament is organized in his memory. Since 1989, the Kerala Volleyball League of North America organizes Jimmy George Super Trophy Volleyball Tournament.
References
- "Jimmy George". Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Archived from Sports portal the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - A Collection of Jimmy's Vedio
- A news article in The Hindu on Jimmy George