People who had gathered at the Olympia hall of Chandrasekharan Nair stadium on Sunday had one common love—the game of football. Each one of the audience, be it the former players or their families, had a story to tell about the game of football.
The meeting was organised to celebrate 50 glorious years of the Travancore Titanium Football team, which has carved a niche for itself among the football teams, producing various international and national players. On Sunday, reviving those precious moments and remembering the achievements, as many as 169 former players got together for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the team.
Head of the ruling family of erstwhile Travancore Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma who inaugurated the meeting remembered how he was encouraged and supported by the founder President of the Kerala State Sports Council Godha Varma Raja during his young days when he used to play football.
He said that the sport should be promoted and young talents from the State should be encouraged and supported.
Travancore Titanium Products Ltd managing director B. Jyothikumar said that the story of the Titanium club was the success story of how a public sector undertaking in the country had succeeded in promoting the sport and producing some of the most successful players.
Mayor K. Chandrika released the Golden Jubilee souvenir by handing over a copy to the former Additional Chief Secretary D. Babu Paul. V. Sivankutty, MLA, said that there should be a conscious effort on the part of the management of the club and the government to initiate measures for the welfare of the players and the promotion of the sport.
“It is time that we seriously considered welfare measures for players. There are many former players who have financial problems and we have to give serious thought to constituting a welfare fund for sports persons,” he added.
The former international and national players of team played an exhibition match at the University Stadium on Sunday as part of the celebrations.
