Only a few teams have given as much hope and joy to the football fans in the state as Travancore Titanium Football team has. Starting from senior international Najimuddin to junior international Mohammed Sajid, the club has lined up numerous talents who have enthralled spectators with their sublime talent and fair game, earning the reputation of being one of the most formidable sides owned by a public sector undertaking in the country.
Now, football fans and the management are all set to earnestly remember the triumphs, tribulations and achievements of the club by celebrating its golden jubilee. An exhibition match, seminar and release of souvenir will be held on December 2 as part of the celebration.
According to M Rajeev Kumar, publicity convenor of the function, as many as 169 former players will take part in the family get-together at Olympia Hall, Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, on the day. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma will inaugurate the function. The players will be felicitated on the occasion by presenting them with the team jersey and playing gear.
The club was formed in 1962 and by 1972 it had become full-fledged after the then company managing director S Padmakumar IAS consented to appoint football players on sports quota. Since then, the history of football in the state entered a different phase. The side has produced 15 or more international players and eight Santosh trophy captains. Gabriel E Joseph and S Geevarghese who coached the Titanium side got national acceptance by training national sides.
According to S Geevarghese, the current coach of the side, that the club has been playing uninterruptedly for the last 50 years itself was an achievement. “The team has got its name etched in the annals of state football by contributing immensely to the game,” he said.
As part of the celebration, the former international and national players of Titanium will play an exhibition match at University Stadium at 4.30 pm on the same day.