In 100th year, St Teresa's plans grand tribute to basketball legacy in Kochi
KOCHI: As St Teresa's College marks 100 years, the institution is turning the spotlight on a glorious chapter from its past — the years it dominated women's basketball in Kerala. The physical education department of the Kochi-based college is leading a nostalgic celebration, bringing back the players, coaches, and the spirit that once made it a powerhouse on and off the court.
At the heart of this tribute is coach Maya Joseph Vithayathil — a former Kerala athlete and the woman behind the rise of St Teresa's in basketball. From 1968 to 2002, she built a team that not only swept MG University championships but also produced athletes who would go on to represent the state and the country.
'Back then, teams would hesitate to face us,' Maya tells TNIE.
'We were consistent, aggressive, and passionate — and we created a strong pool of talent for Kerala and India.'
Her wards included Prasanna Kumari, the first Keralite to captain the national women's basketball team, and Raji Thampi, who led Kerala to its first-ever win in the senior national championship in 1984-85. To mark the centenary, over 250 former athletes of the college will take part in a symbolic 'star walk' on June 11 — from the main academic block on Park Avenue to the science block on T D Road. The celebration also includes a veterans' tournament and an exhibition match featuring former players.
For Prasanna Kumari, returning to the campus is emotional.
'That court gave us everything. We weren't just a team — we were a movement,' she says. 'Maya miss was more than a coach. Her drive shaped our lives. I went on to play for 27 years and now I coach — that's how deep the impact runs.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
14 hours ago
- News18
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Hits Towering Sixes In U19 NCA Camp Ahead Of England Tour
Last Updated: Suryvanshi will open the innings for the Ayush Mhatre-led India U-19 team in the upcoming five youth ODIs and two youth Tests against England. 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, after making headlines for his explosive batting for Rajasthan Royals in the recently concluded 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League, has kicked off his preparations for India's upcoming U19 tour of England. The India U-19 team will travel to England later this month to take on the hosts in five youth ODIs and two youth tests. The first youth ODI will be played at County Ground in Hove on June 27. 17-year-old Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre will lead the India U-19 team. The Mumbai-based top-order batter was announced as India's captain last month. He will open the inning with Suryavanshi. Suryavanshi, who won the Superstriker of the Season award in IPL 2025 for amassing a total of 252 runs in seven matches for Rajasthan Royals with a strike rate of 206.55, has kicked off his preparations ahead of the month-long tour. In a video going viral on the internet, the left-handed batter can be seen hitting towering sixes during the NCA U19 camp in Bengaluru. Here's a look: Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the U19 NCA camp. 👏 — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 7, 2025 In IPL 2025, Suryavanshi made his debut against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19 in Jaipur and opened his account with a first-ball six. During RR's 10th league match played against Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on April 28, Suryavanshi hammered a 35-ball century and helped RR chase down the target of 210 runs in 15.5 overs. By crossing the 100-run mark in just 35 balls, Suryavanshi became the youngest batter (14 years, 31 days) in history to score a century in a T20 match, and he also broke the record of being the fastest Indian batter to score an IPL century. In that match, Suryavanshi hammered 11 sixes, which helped him equal the record of hitting the most sixes in an IPL match by an Indian batter. In RR's last match of the IPL 2025 season, which was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on May 20, Suryavanshi scored a fifty (57) against Chennai Super Kings. He faced 33 balls during his stay at the crease in the 188-run chase and hammered 4 fours and as many sixes. First Published: June 07, 2025, 15:27 IST
NDTV
19 hours ago
- NDTV
Watch: Fan Inflicts Self Injury To Put 'Blood Tilak' On Virat Kohli's Photo. Internet Reacts
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs. Fans celebrated the victory widely, with emotional reactions from players like Virat Kohli. A viral video showed a fan injuring himself to apply blood as tilak on Kohli's poster. Fans around the world whole-heartedly celebrated Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory in IPL 2025. The Bengaluru-based franchise, who enjoys a large fan base across India, defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the summit clash in Ahmedabad to clinch their maiden IPL title. The 18-year-long wait finally came to an end for the team as well as the fans. The moment when RCB sealed the win over PBKS, star batter Virat Kohli completely failed to hide his tears and joyously lived every moment of his team's triumph. RCB's title win triggered wild celebrations all over the country and one such example went viral on social media, where a fan was seen applying 'blood tilak' on Virat Kohli's poster. In a video going viral on social media, a big Virat Kohli and RCB fan was see slitting his writ with a sharp object. As the blood started pouring out of his hand, he took some and applied it as tilak on Kohli's poster. ??wot — Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) June 6, 2025 The video went viral on X (formerly Twitter) like a wildfire as the users gave mixed reactions to the fan's wild act. Kohli ke liye Kitna Prem Hai is Insan ke Dil mein Jo Apne khoon Se Tilak kar raha hai — Anni yadav (@AnniYadav040) June 6, 2025 itna zyada obsession bhi galat hai tbh — vish (@Vishaaakhaaa) June 7, 2025 This isn't fandom. This is Final Destination: Cricket Edition. Fans life matters.. Be inspired, not obsessed. — SumitM (@SumitM_X) June 6, 2025 Earlier on Wednesday, RCB received a hero's welcome in Bengaluru but the fanfare turned disastrous as 11 people lost their lives while close to 50 were injured. Four people have been arrested in connection with the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. According to the police, Nikhil Sosale, a top marketing official of the RCB, was among those arrested. He was on his way to Mumbai when he was arrested from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at around 6.30am. BCCI is now thinking to introduce guidelines for victory celebrations. "At some stage BCCI will have to do something. We cannot be a silent spectator," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz. "It was a private affair of RCB but we at the BCCI are responsible for cricket in India and we will try to ensure such incidents do not recur in future."
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Jarkhar Academy, Neeta Club in semis
Jarkhar Hockey Academy and Neeta Club Rampur emerged victorious in their respective matches in the senior category of the 15th Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Festival played at Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex in Jarkhar, booking their spots in the semifinals, on Friday. In the junior division, Kila Raipur Hockey Centre and Ek Noor Academy, Tehing, also secured places in the final four. Jarkhar Hockey Academy opened the evening with a commanding 5-3 win over Amargarh Hockey Centre. Raghveer Singh Dangora stole the show and was named the 'hero of the match.' In another intense encounter, Neeta Club Rampur edged past Gill Club Ghavaddi 5-4 in a nail-biting finish. Jagjeet Singh of Rampur took home the hero title for his performance. The junior matches saw Kila Raipur Hockey Centre defeat Rana Academy Hoshiarpur 5-4, with Rajveer Singh of Kila Raipur School named the standout player. Ek Noor Academy followed with a solid 6-3 victory over Chachrari Hockey Centre, thanks to a powerful game led by Manashoor Ahmed, the match hero. Jangsher Singh Tambar, a California-based businessman, was the chief guest. He donated ₹1 lakh to Jarkhar Hockey Academy as financial support. Other notable guests included district sports officer Kuldeep Chugh, Rajinder Singh from Khalsa College, international weightlifter Hardeep Singh Saini and Harbans Singh Saini. The event was smoothly conducted under the guidance of Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, along with coaches and sports managers Gurpreet Singh, Gurjeet Singh, Gursatinder Pargat, Shingara Singh, Kuldeep Ghavaddi, Khushmeet Khanna and Pawan Bansal. As the festival moves toward its final stages, the excitement and energy continue to rise, celebrating not just the sport but the spirit of Punjab's rich hockey tradition.
