Depatment of Physical Education

 

 

 

With a vision to create a center of excellence through the formation of young people empowered to create a bright future for themselves and others, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language through discrimination of knowledge, skills and noble values, the St. Thomas College Pala was founded in 1950 by the Diocese of Palai.

Located on the banks of river Meenachil at Arunapuram in the ever green 50 acres eco-friendly campus, famous for its natural beauty, St. Thomas college Pala being the pioneer and time tested promoters of sports and games right from its inception. With its rich hallmark of sports achievement and maximum participation is an ample platform for any sports enthusiast to perform to his fullest potential. With the impending support and enthusiasm of the management, college staff and sports crazy people of Palai, the college has raised itself to International standards in the field of sports and games.

In the 56 years of history, St.Thomas college has the rare distinction of producing more than 50 sports person who went on to don the tricolor at various international competitions and more than 500 athletes of national repute in various games has rolled out of this college.

Late Jimmy George (Arjuna Awardee, Volleyball), Wilson Cherian (Arjuna Awardee, swimming), Olympian Manojlal K.J. (G.V. Raja Awardee, Athletics) are the few alumnae of St.Thomas College Pala whose achievements reflect the excellence of this institution in sports pursuit.

The college has received Rajiv Gandhi Trophy for overall champion 2003 college games and had be continuously champion in the men section (cash award of 50,000 rupees) of college games from 2001 to 2004. It has retained the Malayala Manorama trophy for being the champion college in sports and games among the 250 affiliated colleges of Mahatma Gandhi University for a record a number of times.

St.Thomas College is further thriving hard with various innovative programmes, to achieve higher standard in sports excellence. In this regard, UGC has sanction accord recently for the construction of a Multipurpose Indoor stadium & New Swimming Pool. adolescence in the most appropriate time for introducing specific muscular & endurance training methods. Only in an academy the best available potential in sports can be selected scientifically, groom them over years and carry the proven and tested potential bring glory to India in the field of sports and games.

The relentless struggle with nature extending over centuries and generation created in them certain qualities of endurance, both physical & mental which have stood their children well when they were called upon to compete in the track & field. So of the greats who laid the foundation stone, so to speak, of pala’s future greatness were P.J. Antony, P.J. Joseph, Dr. P.J. Thomas, M.K. Narayanan, M.S. Kumaran, Kunjappan, K.A. Raghavan (lead Indian team in Munich Olympic), T.C. Antony, K. Mani Ikara, S.Palaniapillai, Dasappan Pillai, P.J. Antony Pullat. M.D. Valsamma, Shiny Wilson, Padmasree Jimmy George, Wilson Cherian,, C.V. Sunny, Jossi Mathew, Jaisamma Mothedam, K.M. Celine, Jose George, S. Gopinath, Abdul Razak are to name a few

 

 

St.Thomas College is synonymous with excellence in sports. The greatest luminaries of the sports capital of Kerala have come from St.Thomas College, Pala. The wizard of Indian Volleyball Late Jimmy George (Arjuna awardee), Wilson Cherian (Arjuna awardee). Jossy Mathew, Manojlal in athletics have all come from STC Pala. The list could be multiplied with the addition of other illustrious sports stars from St.Thomas College Pala.

 

 

Laurels Aglore

 

  1. Rajiv Gandhi Gold Trophy for being champion college in overall section, of the 2003 college games along with cash award of 50,000.

  2. Malayala Manorama Trophy for the best college in sports of M.G. University for a record 9 times including two hat ricks from 1995 onwards.

  3. G.V. Raja Trophy for champion college under K.V.

  4. M.M. Joseph Trophy (1976) National land volleyball tournament.

  5. Champions in Men section (cash award of Rs. 50,000) in the college games continuously from 2001 to 2004.

  6. Athletic championship in 1999 and 2000 Kerala games along with cash award of Rs. 10000

 

Major Events Organized

 

    1. All India Inter university Cross Country championship for Men & Women 2009.

    2. All India Inter university Kabbadi championship for women 1981.

    3. South Zone Inter University Volleyball championship for men 1991.

    4. Kerala state Athletic meet 1997.

    5. Kerala state Athletic championship 1995.

    6. Annual Bishop Vayalil All Kerala Inter Collegiate Volleyball tournament for men & women from the past 33 years.

    7. The college has the distinction of organizing the M.G. University Inter Collegiate competition in the events of Volleyball, Wrestling, Power lifting, Swimming, Water polo, Weightlifting, Bodybuilding, Kabaddi, cross-country & chess on many occasions.

    8. Conduct coaching campus for Kerala state Junior & mini volleyball teams.

    9. M.G. University coaching campus in swimming, cross country, Athletics, volleyball, Powerlifing etc.

 

 

SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CAMPUS

 

A) ATHLETIC TRACK

The college has got a well maintained standard 400 metre track with grass surface. It has got separate warming up area. This track is preferred by many elite athlete for training as fa its low injury risk, peaceful atmosphere, good climate condition and easy assesibility. Many state level competitions have been organized on this track.

B) JIMMY GEORGE STDIUM

A mini stadium with searing capacity of 3000 was constructed in the year 1991 to in memory of the volleyball legend of India. Padmasree late Jimmy George (Arjuna awardee) who was the former student of this college. This stadium consists of a volleyball court and a Basketball court. Many National and state level tournaments have been organized in this stadium. Bishop Vayalil All kerala Inter collegiate is an Annual carninal organized in this stadium.

C) Multipurpose Training Hall:

A well equipped and maintained multipurpose training hall with a floor area of 500 sq. feet, built on the year 2001 is available at the college.

  1. Multipurpose Gymnasium

A well furnished gymnasium with multi station and free weight equipment are available at to the students in which the training facility for power lifting and weight is an added feature.

  1. Training Hall

A well-furnished hall with 24 mats with full mat cover is available which is meant of r the training in wrestling, Judo and Yoga. Many state and University level competition in P.L. W.L., Judo, and wrestling are organized in our college by using the facilities.

D) Swimming Pool

One of the unique features of the college is that of having a standard size swimming pool of its own in the college campus. This pool was constructed in the year 1954 with original length of 30 mts was later extended to 50 mts in the year 1988.

Dimensions of the Pool

 

Length - 50 metres

Breadth - 15 metres

No. of lane - 6 lane

Depth below dining board – 4.5 metres

Depth at starting point - 1.50 metres

No. of changing rooms - 5

Many state and university level competitions have been organized at his pool. At present the pool is in need of urgent renovation.

 

E) Football field

A standard football field with bush green grass is available at the college. The football field is surrounded by athletic track. The football field is of the length 105 metres and breadth of 67.50 meters. A cricket meeting pitch is also available in the field.

F) Kabbadi court

The college has got a well maintained Kabbadi court lying opposite to the Jimmy George stadium.

G) Badminton Court

A badminton court with cemented surface with 44 feet length and 22 feet width is also available at the college campus.