2025

Kottayam —Providence Girls’ Higher Secondary School and St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School emerged champions in their respective categories at the Girideepam Inter-School Basketball Tournament, held at the Girideepam Sports Academy in Kottayam. The tournament witnessed intense competition among leading schools from across the district, with young players displaying skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the matches. Providence Dominates Girls’ Category Providence Girls’ HSS put up a commanding performance in the girls’ final, showcasing sharp passing, strong defence, and accurate shooting to secure the championship title. Their disciplined gameplay and court awareness proved decisive in the title clash. Coaches and spectators praised the team’s consistent performance across all stages of the tournament, marking Providence as one of the strongest contenders in school-level basketball this season. St Joseph’s Triumphs in Boys’ Final In the boys’ category, St Joseph’s HSS lived up to expectations with a spirited display in the final, overpowering their opponents through quick transitions and effective teamwork. The team maintained control throughout the match, earning a well-deserved victory. The boys’ final was marked by high energy and enthusiastic crowd support, reflecting the growing popularity of basketball among school students in Kottayam. Platform for Young Talent The Girideepam Inter-School Basketball Tournament has become a key platform for identifying and nurturing young basketball talent in the region. Coaches, physical education teachers, and sports enthusiasts noted the improving standard of play and increased participation from schools. Organisers said the tournament aims to encourage competitive sports culture among students while promoting discipline, fitness, and teamwork. Awards and Closing Ceremony Trophies and individual awards were distributed at a closing ceremony attended by school representatives, coaches, and sports officials. Organisers congratulated all participating teams for their enthusiasm and competitive spirit. With Providence and St Joseph’s lifting the titles, the tournament concluded on a high note, reinforcing Girideepam’s role as a hub for school-level sports development in Kottayam.

Started by coach Ramesh Kumar C., the camp presently trains as many as 140 kids It’s a soggy morning with a wet field and more rains on the way. These conditions, however, have not stopped this group of 50-odd kids from gleefully running their soccer drills. From ball security to blocking and tackling and field sprints, they keep practising for hours. Standing amid these youngsters, 49-year-old Ramesh Kumar .C. asks them to do a little extra, making the children sprint and chase each other over and over. The man, who runs the Drona Football Academy (DFA) in Changnassery, now serves as a lifeline to over a hundred children from underprivileged families. Besides making football accessible to every child irrespective of the social status, he is using the game to ensure these kids are given a fair shot at life. “Since I am a product of the grass roots system, I would like every child to have the opportunities that the players of our generation were lucky enough to enjoy,” says Mr. Kumar, who had played for various soccer clubs in his over two-decades-long career. After retiring from professional football some six years ago, Mr. Kumar, who possesses a D certificate from the All India Football Federation, began associating with a few schools in the region. The experience helped him realise how the rising cost of playing the game, coupled with economic inequality, was increasingly keeping players from poor families away from the game. It was at this point that he decided to launch a free training camp at the Changanassery Municipal Stadium, which runs 365 days a year. The camp, which began with just one youngster, grew over the years and presently trains as many as 140 kids. Besides football training, the coach also hosts a dinner for the kids twice a month and makes them attend various public sanitation drives. The free-football movement also has the backing of the coach’s former colleagues like P.S. Ashim, a former Indian international. “The best coach for football in this world is the game itself. Our effort is just to ensure a whole atmosphere that is conducive to practicing and use it as a life skill module for social change,” observed Mr. Ashim. Over the years, the academy has helped a handful of youngsters, who dropped out of their studies after high school, to join colleges under the sports quota while a few of them are now in the cusp of gaining employment through the game. The gains, however, have not been without hiccups. “The whole project runs with the support of a few game-lovers while the COVID-19 has affected our access to sponsorships. Despite being unable to support the aspiration of these youngsters with adequate facilities, we are grinding on while also hoping that help will soon come in,” added Mr. Kumar.

Kottayam —The serene village of Kozha in Kottayam district transformed into a vibrant hub of rural celebration as the much-awaited Kozha Farm Fest brought together farmers, youth, families, and tourists for a unique blend of agriculture, sports, and traditional entertainment. Held amid lush paddy fields and farmlands, the festival showcased Kerala’s deep connection with agriculture while adding a modern, festive touch through innovative events such as mud football, farm exhibitions, and cultural performances. The fest drew large crowds from across central Kerala, turning Kozha into a weekend destination. Mud Football Steals the Spotlight One of the biggest attractions of the Kozha Farm Fest was the mud football tournament, conducted in a water-logged paddy field. Teams from various regions competed barefoot, sliding through slush as cheering spectators lined the field. The muddy contest not only provided thrilling entertainment but also symbolised Kerala’s agrarian roots, reminding participants of the physical connection between sport, soil, and tradition. Laughter, cheers, and friendly rivalry filled the air as players battled it out in the mud, making it a visual highlight of the festival. Celebrating Farmers and Rural Life At its core, Kozha Farm Fest aimed to honour farmers and agricultural traditions. The event featured exhibitions of organic farming methods, traditional seeds, farm tools, and locally grown produce. Farmers interacted directly with visitors, sharing knowledge about sustainable agriculture and modern techniques blended with age-old practices. Stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade food items, and traditional snacks attracted visitors, offering a taste of authentic village life. For many urban visitors, the fest became a rare opportunity to reconnect with the farming culture that sustains Kerala. Cultural Programmes and Community Participation Adding colour to the agricultural theme were cultural programmes, including folk songs, traditional percussion performances, and local art displays. Children’s activities, rural games, and interactive sessions ensured participation across age groups, making the festival a family-friendly event. Local residents played a key role in organising and managing the fest, highlighting the strong community spirit that defines Kozha. Volunteers, farmers, youth groups, and cultural organisations worked together to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme. Boost to Tourism and Local Economy The Kozha Farm Fest also provided a boost to rural tourism in Kottayam district. Visitors from neighbouring towns and districts explored the village, benefiting local vendors, farmers, and small businesses. Officials and organisers noted that such festivals help promote agri-tourism, create awareness about farming challenges, and encourage younger generations to value agriculture as both a livelihood and a way of life. A Festival Rooted in Soil and Spirit By blending farming traditions with sport, culture, and community celebration, the Kozha Farm Fest successfully created a platform that honoured Kerala’s rural identity while offering modern entertainment. As muddy feet and smiling faces marked the end of the event, Kozha stood out as a powerful reminder that festivals rooted in the soil can bring people together like no other.