Former Kerala athletes set to enter LSG tracks; even Asian Games medal winners to contest

Thiruvananthapuram: With a notable number of former athletes contesting in the ongoing panchayat, municipality and corporation elections, expectations are rising within the sports community that grassroots sporting infrastructure may finally receive attention. While the sector is not anticipating a wave of new playgrounds, many hope that sportspersons-turned-candidates will at least work to protect and improve existing facilities if elected.

Among the prominent names in the fray is Padmini Selvan (Thomas), Asian Games 400m medallist and Arjuna Award recipient, who is contesting as the BJP candidate from Palayam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. A former Congress leader, she earlier served as the president of the Kerala Sports Council and was active in the party’s national sports forum. She retired from the Railways.

In Changanassery’s Thrikkodithanam panchayat, Prof. KM Thomas, a former member of the 1979 Indian handball team, is the Aam Aadmi Party candidate in the 10th ward. A former Air Force serviceman, Thomas later worked as a physical education teacher in Mumbai.

Former Kunnukuzhi councillor Mary Pushpam, who represented Congress for the past two terms, is seeking a third term. A former state handball player and university-level hurdler, she is a teacher by profession.

In Thrissur Corporation, Division 25 (Valarkavu), weightlifting champion and coach Chitra Chandramohan Madhu is the CPM candidate. Chitra, a multiple gold medallist for Kerala and coach of the Indian weightlifting team, is also the secretary of the State Weightlifting Association.

In Elamkunnapuzha Grama Panchayat (Ward 11) in Ernakulam, AL Marina, who represented Kerala in football for 17 years, is contesting as the Twenty20 candidate. A former Kerala Police superintendent, she missed her chance to play for India in 1991 due to a delayed passport, an irony not lost on her supporters now that she holds a passport but is campaigning for a "visa" from the voters.

Former national athlete Lissy Cherian is also contesting as a Twenty20 candidate, from Ward 20 of Panachikkad panchayat (Thoppil) in Kottayam. Known for her achievements in long jump and hurdles, she worked as a manager in the Food Corporation of India.

In Aluva municipality, state basketball player and former MG University captain Jaison Peter is seeking election as a Congress candidate from Ward 15. The Congress has also fielded former state basketball player Gopalakrishnan in Kasaragod municipality. In Aluva, former basketball player Sebi V Bastin is in the fray as an Independent.

Former state hockey player and incumbent councillor Gils is contesting as a Kerala Congress (Joseph) candidate from Periyappuram ward in Piravom Municipality. A Calicut University player for five years, he once captained the team.

In Erattayar Panchayat, national athletics medallist Asha Soman is contesting as the CPM candidate. Lisamma Manimala, a former MG University volleyball player, is the LDF candidate in Ward 15 of the same panchayat.

Meanwhile, in Thiruvalla Municipality, former footballer, physical education teacher and sitting councillor Reginald Varghese (Congress) has stepped aside this time as his ward has been reserved for women. He is now campaigning for the party’s nominee.

Beyond these names, numerous other sportspersons are contesting across the State, fuelling optimism that local self-government bodies may finally integrate sports development into their agenda.