GOVT: G.V.RAJA SPOTS SCHOOL, MYLAM THIRUVNANTHAPURAM
Sports Kerala's pride Govt: G V RAJA is turning 50 years in 2024-25. The school is named Govt: G V Raja Sports School in honor of the legendary Lt Col P R Godavarma Raja a true pioneer of in Kerala. He was born on October 13, 1908 in Poonjar, Kottayam district as the son of Pudusherry Manaikal Narayanan Namboothiri and Karthika Tirunal Ambalika Tamburatty.
He established a tennis club in Thiruvananthapuram to promote tennis in the state. He was the President of the Kerala Cricket Association from 1950 to 1953. B. C. He has also held the position of Vice President of CI. B. C. He has also earned the honor of being the first Malayali to hold the post of CI. He was the founder president of the Travancore Sports Council formed in 1954. With the formation of Kerala State Travancore Sports Council became Kerala Sports Council. He remained the President of the Council till his death. He also founded Trivandrum Golf Club Committee, Veli Boat Club and Trivandrum Flying Club.
He also served as the Commandant of Travancore University's Labor Corps. He was the first Director of Physical Education of the University. It was due to his efforts that Kovalam was developed as a tourist destination. He was the first chairman of KTDC. He also worked for the development of Thiruvananthapuram Airport. An important figure in the sports history of Kerala, he is also considered as the father of tourism in Kerala. The Kerala government observes October 13, the birthday of Colonel Godavarma Raja, as 'State Sports Day'.
He was on a mission to Patiala for a sports council of India meeting in 1971, but his journey ended in a plane crash in the Kullu Valley.
G. V. Raja Sports School is a state sports school in Aruvikkara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, focused on developing young athletes in various sports.It is one of the three sports schools in Kerala under the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, alongside the Sports Division in Thrissur and the Sports School in Kannur.
Founded in 1974, it is named after Lt.Col. P. R. Godha Varma Raja, known as the "Father of Sports in Kerala," to honor his contributions to sports promotion in the state.
G.V. Raja Sports School (GVRS) in Thiruvananthapuram, a premier sports academy, focuses on holistic development, integrating academics with intensive sports training, and offers VHSE (Vocational Higher Secondary Education) with stream Biology Science.
The Academic Block has classrooms with teaching aids and offers academic programs from 8th grade to Vocational Higher Secondary levels. The school operates under two administrative frameworks (Directorate Of Sports & Youth Affairs Kerala): the General Education Department for grades 6 to 10, and the Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) Directorate for grades 11 and 12, specializing in Physical Education ( Now General Fitness Trainer) and Sports science
The Sports Training block has got facilities for Athletics, Football, Hockey, Volleyball, Cricket, Judo and boxing . There is an awesome Indoor stadium too. The campus also boasts massive outdoor playground for football, hockey, basketball and athletics.
Admission
For GV Raja Sports School admissions, look for the annual Talent Hunt conducted by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs (DSYA) in Kerala, typically held early in the year (around January/February), identifying Class 6 & 7 students via skill testing in various sports like Athletics, Football, Hockey, etc., with announcements and trials (like those in Jan 2025 for 2025-26 intake) posted on official Kerala Sports/DSYA pages and the school's official website gvrsportsschool.org
Key Admission Process Points
Talent Hunt : The primary method is a statewide talent search for potential in Class 6 & 7.
Disciplines : Athletics, Volleyball, Football, Hockey, Judo, Boxing, Cricket, Basketball.
Selection : General sports skills are tested, followed by specialized training and identification of interest areas.
Free Residential : Selected students get free schooling, accommodation, food, and training.
General training for 6th & 7th students.
Notable Alumni
G.V.Raja sports school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a premier institution established in 1974 that has nurtured top athletes, including Olympian Shiny Wilson, K M Beenamol, Shiny Abraham, P R Sreejesh, P. S Abdul Razak
Due to the age of the school, it is unclear as to what year some of its alumni graduated. Those whose class is unknown, or assumed, are noted as such.
Notable alumni include :
K M BEENAMOL – Olympian, recipient of the ARJUNA AWARD in 2001 and PADMA SHRI in 2004.
Training Session
Two sessions of Practice
Morning Session - 5.30 to 8.30
Evening Session - 4.30 to 7.00
Our Peculiarities
Systematic Training
Punctuality
Discipline
SHINY ABRAHAM – Olympian, recipient of the ARJUNA AWARD in 1984 and PADMASHRI in 1998.
P R Sreejesh (class of 2000) – Olympian, former captain of India Men’s National field hockey team, recipient of the Padma Shri in 2017.
P. S Abdul Razak , former International player, a member of the first batch of G.V.Raja Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram in 1975, who was a sensation on the Volleyball courts.
Shiny Wilson, former student of G.V.Raja sports school, is an athlete. She has been a National Champion in 800 metres for 14 years.
Basil Philip is a former student of G.V. Raja Sports School , is an accomplished international basketball player and a former Indian team captain.
Current Top Athletes
Arjun Pradeep
U23 Open Athletics championship- won GOLD MEDAL with new meet record in 400 mh
Muhammed Ashfaq
SAF GAMES - Secured GOLD MEDAL in 4X400 MTR mixed relay in South Asian Senior Athletics championship at Ranchi.
Facilities
Multi Stored Academic Building - For 6 To +2 Students Including One Yoga Hall, Sports Equipments Room, Store Room, Library, Computer Lab, VHSE Labs (Physics, Biology, Chemistry) Conference Hall, Assembly Hall, Hs & VHSE Office Rooms
Indoor Stadium
Volleyball Ground
Gymnesium
Khelo India Office & Coaches Room
Hockey Turf
Football Ground
Separate Hostels for Boys & Girls
Massage Centre
Athletics Track
Cricket Ground
Mess
Medicine Room
Employees Under Education Department
Head Of The Institution - Principal
Higher Authority Of High School - Headmistress
Teachers - Hs & Vhse (Permanent & Daily Wages)
Academics (HS)
Classes
6 to 10
VHSE
+1 & +2
( Total Two Batches)
Medium of Instruction
Malayalam & English
Employees Under Directorate Of Sports & Youth Affairs
G.V Raja Is Recognised As A Khelo India State Centre Of Excellence With Top Facility
Head - High Performance Manager -1
Head Coaches - For Athletics, Judo
Physiotherapist (3)
Measseuse & Masseur
Strength & Conditioning Expert
Nutritionist
No of Present Assistant Coaches & Trainers
| Athletics | 4 |
| Judo | 3 |
| Hockey | 2 |
| Volleyball (Sr.) | 1 |
| Boxing | 2 |
| Trainer (Boxing) | 1 |
| Cricket | 1 |
| Football | 1 |
| Football (Trainer) | 2 |
| Mentor Cum Trainer | 1 |
| Warden Cum Tutor | Male 2 , Female 2 |
| Care Takers | Male 1, Female 1 |
| Rehabilitation Nursing Assistant | 1 |