The KCA was formed in 1951 and has been working hard to attract more talent in Kerala. With the assistance of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) the KCA has built stadiums in Krishnagiri and Perunthalmanna with new stadiums in each of the 14 districts already in planning stage. The organization’s CASH (Cricket Academies and Sports Hostel) project is a model to other states, and they have funded over 400 girls and boys in the last year alone. The association is implementing Mission 2020 which will see cricket reach new levels in the state. They have also leased out the stadium from the GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority) for thirty years. Committed to the development of sports, Mr. Jayesh is ecstatic about the various leagues that are coming up in the country.

The Grounds

At the moment, his hands are filed with the proceedings of the impending matches. Mr. Jayesh oversees over various committees; ground, wicket, food, security, etc. It takes about three to four months to organize an international level game at the stadium. The stadium and wicket committee starts the work from day 1. The grass used at the stadium is Bermuda grass that needs to be mowed every week. Weeding and watering happen daily as it needs constant care. The ground needs six covers if it rains the night before the game and 100 people are required for the process. Mr.Jayesh remembers a time in 2010 when the game got washed out. The outfield is mowed at 12mm and the wicket at 6mm for cricket. For football, the out-field is mowed at 24mm and the wicket at 4mm. Imagine the attention to detail.

Upto 500 people are involved in the production of a game. Mr.Jayesh is thankful for the constant support from the police and fire force apart from their team. There are thirty-two gates that are monitored by CCTV cameras from the venue operation centre.

There is also a special room for the press, anti-corruption committee, first aid, recreation, players’ area, etc. There are twelve first aid stands for the public and 120 medical staff just for the players. Provisions for the food vendors are made. Over 60,000 people come to watch the matches, and the ticketing is done by NCC cadets. Few people realize the amount of work that goes behind the game. Two to three days before the big day, mock drills are carried out. Currently, the dressing rooms are undergoing a makeover for the ISL. For the West Indies match, their dressing room was decked out in red. Though India lost that game, Mr. Jayesh is happy that the team could pull a hassle free game with a good wicket.

Passion for Sports

Jayesh George started playing cricket from a very young age. He used to play for the Kochi team, Swantons, at the Durbar Hall grounds. Tinu Yohannan and Feroze Rasheed, ex Kerala players, rose through the same team. Mr. Jayesh remembers how the team was like his family, and they used to hang out at the coach N S Krishnan’s Chittoor home. His love for the game led him to be the secretary for the Ernakulam District Association between 2005 and 2013. He was selected as KCA joint secretary in 2013 and joined fellow cricketer T C Mathew, who is the current President. Mr.Jayesh currently plays for the Kochi Strikers in the Veteran’s Premier League, Kerala. The former Swantons player has great expectations for sports in the country. There are lots of changes that still need to be made. Most people don’t take sports as a career due to an issue with job security. In Kerala, only State Bank of Travancore offers employment. Sanju Samson is a great inspiration for young sports persons, and Mr.Jayesh believes he has a long way to go. He jokes that though he is a cricketer his children are avid football fans. We see our team playing at an international level for cricket; this is not the case with football. Hopefully with the ISL, this scenario will change. Sports in India need a lot of encouragement and support, and Jayesh George is doing his bit.

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