THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The late Lt Col Goda Varma Raja, better known as G V Raja, was a man of action, who was instrumental in establishing many sports institutions and associations, which later paved the way for development of sports infrastructure in the state.
Ironically, the G V Raja football tournament, started in the name of this luminary, is struggling to maintain its tempo, with the latest news pouring in from the football world confirming that the tournament, which was revived in January, 2010, after a gap of 25 years, has run into hurdles.
The excuse for this year’s postponement is attributed to Santhosh Trophy preparatory camp which is underway at Aluva FACT ground.
The current decision to postpone the tournament came hardly a month after the District Football Association secretary Geevarghese announced that the tournament would kick off on May 2.
Speaking to City Express, Geevarghese admitted that the news about the postponement was true. He said that the organisers had fixed May 2 as the date of kick off but since the schedule clashed with the Santhosh trophy preparatory camp which is currently on, the tournament has been deferred.
”We had completed the primary formalities and even met the potential sponsors. The issue over dearth in sponsors was resolved and we were successful in generating ample funds. But the Santhosh trophy camp came in our way,” he said.
Even after admitting the tournament schedule clashed with the Santhosh trophy camp, the secretary was not in a position to say when the tournament would begin.
”In June and July, it is rainy season so we are yet to find a date,” he said.