When the name Jimmy George comes to mind, most modern sports fans will have no clue who he is. But for those who follow volleyball and also those who were growing up in the 1970s and 80s, the name will strike a chord. A man who was taken from us too soon, a legacy that never reached its full potential, a memory that is slowly fading into oblivion.?
If anybody put volleyball on the map for India, this man had a big role. He was part of the best-ever volleyball team that played at the international level. Had he played in any other country where this sport was more in focus, well, he would have been hailed as a legend no doubt??
But the journey began in God's Own Country, yes we are talking of Kerala. Jimmy was born to the famous Kudakkachira family, at Thondiyil near Peravoor in Kannur district. Volleyball was literally in his blood as he learned the sport from his father who himself was a former university-level player. Jimmy's initial interest was towards swimming, but the young man decided to switch to volleyball at an early age and it proved to be the right decision.?
In 1970, he became a member of the University of Calicut volleyball team and a year later was part of the state team. He was just 16 and represented Kerala 9 times. But that was only the beginning. He joined St. Thomas College, Pala in 1973. He represented the university four times till 1976. In 1976 he quit medical college to join Kerala police with whom he would stay till his death 11 years later.?
In 1979 he went to play for Abu Dhabi Sports Club. He then became the first Indian to play for an Italian club. Even now he is fondly remembered over there. In fact one would say Jimmy is more famous in Italy than in India. He represented India in the Asian Games in 1974, 1978 and 1986. It was in 1986 we won bronze, our best international performance till date. That was the best Indian side and Jimmy was the core strength of it. He was also skipper and led the side in 1985 and was at the helm when they won the India Gold Cup International Volleyball Tournament in 1986.?
In his prime he was considered one of the best attackers in the world. In 1976, he was the youngest volleyball player to win the Arjuna Award. He was full of life and on top of his game when the cruel hand of fate snatched him away from this world.?
He died in a car accident in Italy in 1987. He was just 32. Thousands reached Peravoor to attend his funeral. He lies buried in at the Cemetery of St. Joseph's Church Peravoor, Thondiyil. After his death the Jimmy George Foundation was set up which in 1989 instituted the Jimmy George Award for best sportsperson of Kerala.?
Back at his college and his native place he is still a hero. The college even has a stadium by his name. But sadly, for the rest of the country, his name is virtually unknown or forgotten to the modern sports fan.?
Jimmy is another of those sports heroes who has been forgotten years after his death. Possibly because he played a sport that lost out to cricket. It is up to us to preserve his legacy. The man sweat it out in the middle for his country. The least we can do is keep his memory alive. He may be gone but it is on us to make sure he is not forgotten.?