Jimmy George (born March 8, 1955 in Peravoor, died November 30, 1987) was a legend in professional volleyball from Kerala, India. He was the first Indian volleyball player to become a professional and played club volleyball in Italy.He is considered to be one of the ten best volleyball players of all times.
Jimmy George was born to the famous Kudakkachira family and learned to play volleyball from his father, a former university-level player. He played for St. Joseph's High School in Peravoor. In 1970, George became member of the University of Calicut volleyball team. In 1973, he joined St. Thomas College, Pala .Jimmy represented the Kerala University four times from 1973 to 1976. The Kerala team won the All India Inter-University Championship during these four years. He was the Captain of the team in 1973. He secured a berth in the Kerala State Team at the age of 16, in 1971, and thereafter he represented the State nine times. In 1976, George quit medical college to join Kerala Police where he remained a member of the police team until his death.George played for India's volleyball team in the Asian Games in Tehran (1974), Bangkok (1978) and in Seoul (1986) where India won the bronze medal. He was captain of the Indian team that played at Saudi Arabia in 1985, and led the Indian team to victory in India Gold Cup International Volleyball Tournament at Hyderabad in 1986.
Born-8 March 1955
Peravoor, Kannur, Kerala, India
Died-30 November 1987 (aged 32)Italy
Nationality-Indian
Occupation-Volley ball player
Employer-Kerala Police
Known for-Being the only Indian volleyball player to
play for a professional foreign club
Religion -Christianity
Children-Joseph George
Parents -George Joseph, Mary George
Early death
George died in a car accident in Italy on November 30, 1987, at the age of 33. His son Joseph George was born just two months after his death. Following his death, the Jimmy George Foundation was established, which in 1989 instituted Jimmy George Award for best sportsperson of Kerala. The Foundation also makes available cash awards at St. Joseph's High School, Peravoor, and at Devagiri College.
The government of Kerala dedicated its indoor stadium at Trivandrum as the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium. At St. Thomas College, Pala, a volleyball stadium is named for him, as were a stadium and a road at Peravoor. An indoor stadium in Italy was dedicated in his memory at Montichiari, Brescia, and an annual junior tournament is organized in his memory. Since 1989, the Kerala Volleyball League of North America organizes Jimmy George Super Trophy Volleyball Tournament.