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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
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.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Kerala's first women's basketball team came up here
Kerala is a force to reckon with in women's basketball in India, having thrown up gems like Leelamma Santhosh-Thomas, Prasanna Kumari and Geethu Anna Jose, but it all began at St. Teresa's College in Kochi. More than 65 years ago, Teresa's young girls played on a mud court at the college and also at the Annie Besant Park nearby and later at the Ernakulam YMCA. That was the first time women's basketball was being played in an organised way in Kerala. 'In 1961, we produced the first women's basketball team in Kerala,' said Sr. Tessa, the Director of St. Teresa's College, here on Friday. Golden Girls That was the start of a wonderful journey and slowly, St. Teresa's College began to power Kerala and Indian basketball. The late Raji Thampi, who led Kerala to its first Senior National title in 1985, and former India captain Prasanna Kumari were some of the finest stars who emerged from the college. 'We won the Mahatma Gandhi University basketball title regularly for some 20 years, sometimes six years in a row,' said Maya Joseph, a former National-level sprinter and hurdler who was the head of the St. Teresa's physical education department during those golden years till 2002. And in 1993, when Mahatma Gandhi University won the National varsities basketball title for the first time, nearly half the team, including captain Maya George, were from St. Teresa's. Kerala Sports Council coaches K.V. Alexander, Thomas Fenn and V.V. Paul, in various periods, played a big role in St. Teresa's rise. Centenary Tournament Now, as part of its centenary year celebrations, St. Teresa's College will be hosting an all-Kerala inter-collegiate basketball tournament from June 9 to 11. The event, organised by the St. Teresa's Physical Education Department and the college's sports alumni, will feature six teams including Changanassery's Assumption, Kozhikode's Providence and Irinjalakuda's St. Joseph's. Star Walk A 'Star walk' by the Teresian sports stars, which will see some of the college's biggest names in Kochi, and a friendly veterans match will also be held on the tournament's final day. St. Teresa's is no longer a powerhouse in women's basketball but there is hope for the future. 'We are training our school girls at our college and they are doing very well,' said K.M. Thomas, the current head of the St. Teresa's physical education department. Perhaps, they could make St. Teresa's great again in basketball.
