In sports Prof. Jacob’s contribution appreciated on his 90th birthday
In sports Prof. Jacob’s contribution appreciated on his 90th birthday
A rare gathering of recipients from different walks of life was witnessed on Wednesday at Le Kanchee Auditorium near Calicut University campus. They gathered to celebrate the nineteenth birthday of a sports personality who earned a reputation as the first Director of Physical Education of the University of Calicut.
Even at the age of 90, EJ Jacob continues to be a celebrity among sports enthusiasts in Kerala. A man of immense experience and several foreign degrees, Prof. Jacob is liked by the people who look after the games on campus. The initiative he took to promote sports on campuses in Kerala was immense.
Yet, in his own words, sin was committed against him more than he had sinned. Despite laying a solid foundation for sports in the University of Calicut and making the University of Calicut the best in sports at the national level, Prof. Jacob was kicked off campus at the age of 55. The people of Calicut University who brought a law to expel him at the age of 55 never thought that Prof. Jacob will continue to be the campus’s most loved sports personality.
“I want the schools and colleges of the country to make sports a compulsory subject in their curriculum. The importance of sports is so much that without it a healthy and happy life cannot be imagined. Sports is the key to a healthy mind and a healthy body,” said Prof. Jacob while addressing the gathering.
Presiding over the function, MP MK Raghavan presented Prof. Jacob was praised for his never-give-up attitude, which he maintained throughout his life. The ninth ceremony was inaugurated by Kunnamkulam-Malabar Diocese Bishop R.T. Rev. Thomas Mar Thithos Episcopa said that Prof. Jacob was a rare personality who added full life to his years.
Sakir Hussain, the present Director of Physical Education of Calicut University, said that he received Prof. A great pioneer was found in Jacob and for him Prof. The track set up by Jacob was easy to follow.
Others who addressed the gathering were Thomas Mathew, former superintendent of Government Medical College, Kozhikode and a leading nephrologist of the country; Pazhania Pila, former gold medalist of the World University Championships for the triple jump; Lucy Varghese, former Principal of Government College of Physical Education, Kozhikode; PJ Joshua, Malayala Manorama Chief News Editor, Kozhikode; Sanil Shivdas, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax and former captain of the Calicut University Table Tennis team; Sports historian Raghunandan; Sports columnist Sanal P. Thomas; Saju B. John, Kunnamkulam-Malabar Diocese Secretary; and CZ Davis, Secretary, Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Thenipalam. RS Panikkar, President of Gandhian Studies and Research, Prof. Wrapped Jacob with Ponnada.
RT. The Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragón Metropolitan of Mar Thoma Church presented Prof. Gave his blessings to Jacob. Koshi P. Thomas, Vice President, Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Thenipalem proposed the vote of thanks.