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P. R. Godavarma Raja | |
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 Prince Consort of the Travancore Queen | |
| Born | 13 October 1908 |
| Died | 30 April 1971 (aged 62) Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
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Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971), often referred to as G. V. Raja, was an Indian sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar. He took special care in inspiring the youth into sports and was instrumental in founding the Kerala Sports Council in 1953. G. V. Raja occupied the post of Council President till he was killed in a flight mishap in 1971.[1] G. V. Raja also played a key role in establishing the Trivandrum Tennis Club (now called as Thiruvananthapuram Tennis Club), Flying Club, and the development of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.[2] As the spouse of Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, he became the prince consort of Travancore.
Raja was the founder President of the Kerala State Sports Council as well as Kerala Cricket Association, and patron of a large number of sports clubs and associations.[3] The CricInfo website reports that Raja was the first Keralite to become the Vice-President of Board of Control for Cricket in India, and had he lived, he would have become President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.[4][5]
Raja was also the President of Tourism Promotion Council of Kerala. He was the main architect in developing Kovalam as an international tourist spot. He died in an air crash near Kullu Valley on 30 April 1971.[6] Sports journalists, historians, experts and sportsmen consider him as the Father of Sports and Tourism in Kerala.[7] Raja's birth anniversary, 13 October, is observed as "Kerala Sports Day".[8]
- ^ "KSSC President – President Details as on Lt.Col.Goda Varma Raja Founder President Kerala Sports Council 1954–1971". Kerala State Sports Council. Kerala State Sports Council. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Trivandrum International Airport". Airport Technology. Verdict Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ "Kerala State Sports Council : KSSC Presidents". Archived from the original on 3 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- ^ CricInfo India website : "The greatest figure who dominated Travancore – Cochin and Kerala cricket like a Colossus was the legendary Col.Godavarma Raja of the Travancore Royal Family. A Prince among sportsmen and a sportsman among princes, Col.Raja was responsible for putting Kerala on the sports and tourist map of India. It was under his inspiring leadership that a few members from the Trippunithura royal family and cricket enthusiasts from Trivandrum and Kottayam met in 1950 and formed the Travancore-Cochin Cricket Association. From this, emerged the Kerala Cricket Association. Calm must have been the middle name of Col. Raja. He possessed the Midas touch. He was the undoubted CEO of all sports and games organisations in the State. A keen sportsman himself he played all the games, but tennis and polo were among his favourites. An endearing personality, with a gentle smile always on his lips and mischievous, twinkling eyes, Col Raja was one of God's good men. He was the first from this part of the state to become a Vice President of the BCCI. Prof. MV Chandgadkar, a former secretary of the BCCI one told me how Col.Raja walked into the conference hall at Jaipur where the Board was in session, clutching his tennis rackets! The Raja was ever ready for a game of tennis once the day's business was over. Col.Raja's hospitality was proverbial. He played host to Vijay Merchant, Col.CK Nayudu and Lala Amarnath when he came as manager of the Railways athletic squad and the Kumararaja of Venkitagiri who led the Andhra side and scores of other worthies. For 13 years from 1950 he was the President of the Kerala Cricket Association and had he lived – he died in a tragic an crash, in an aircraft piloted by himself – he would have become President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Col Raja still lives in the memory of all lovers of the game and the GV Raja pavilion at the University Stadium is a fitting tribute to this great son of Kerala."
- ^ cricinfo, India. "History of Kerala cricket By Professor AS Balakrishnan". CricInfo 2000. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ keralawindow, .net. "IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES – GODAVARMA RAJA (COLONOL)". keralawindow.net. keralawindow. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ "G.V. Raja birth centenary". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 12 October 2008. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- ^ "Impressive function to mark Kerala Sports Day". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2009.