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{{Infobox school
| name = G. V. Raja Sports School
| native_name = ജി.വി. രാജ സ്പോർട്സ് സ്കൂൾ
| latin_name =
| image =
| caption =
| motto =
| address = Sports School Rd, Mailom, [[Perumkulam]]
| city = [[Aruvikkara]]
| state = Kerala 
| zipcode = 695573
| country = India
| coordinates = {{Coord|8.557113888818613|77.00996854844794|format=dms|display=it}}
| type = [[State school|State]], [[Sports school]]
| established = {{start date and age|1974|p=1}}
| founder = [[P. Ravindran]]
| head =
| faculty =
| principal = Dr. Pradeep C.S
| authority = Directorate Of Sports & Youth Affairs Kerala
| grades = 8-12
| gender = Co-educational
| accreditation = [[Department of General Education]]
| campus_type = Suburban
| website = {{URL|https://gvrsportsschool.org/}}
}}

'''G. V. Raja Sports School''' is a [[State school|State]] sports school in Aruvikkara, Thiruvananthapuram, [[Kerala]], focused on developing young athletes in various sports.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/other-sports/gv-raja-sports-school-news-18-02-2017.html | title=GV Raja School Needs to Raise the Bar | publisher=[[Manorama Online]] | date=18 February 2017 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/sports-dy-director-given-charge-of-gv-raja-school/articleshow/64923714.cms | title=Sports department director given charge of GV Raja school | publisher=[[The Times of India]] | date=10 July 2018 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

Founded in 1974, it is named after [[G. V. Raja|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.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2307036.pdf | title=Life of Godavarma Raja and His Contributions to the Sports Developments in Kerala | author=Praveen. M | journal=IJCRT - International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts | year=2023 | volume=11 | issue=7 | pages=1–4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/other-sports/2024/05/11/gv-raja-sports-accademy.html | title=Local Academy Honors G.V. Raja with Renaming in His Hometown | publisher=[[Manorama Online]] | date=11 May 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==History==
In the early 1970s, discussions began about improving sports standards in Kerala. On April 7, 1970, Sri Raveendran, the Minister for Industries, Labor, and Sports, chaired a meeting focused on the state's sports development. This led to the formation of a committee headed by Justice [[V. R. Krishna Iyer]], tasked with proposing a sports development plan. The committee recommended the creation of sports hostels, schools, and divisions to foster young athletes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/kerala/thiruvananthapuram-gvraja-sports-school-in-trivandrum-local18-682649.html | title=Shaping Kerala's Sports Future: G.V. Raja Sports School Leads the Way | publisher=[[News18 Kerala]] | work=Athira Balan A | date=6 August 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

One of the key outcomes of this recommendation was the establishment of the G. V. Raja Sports School in 1974. The school was initially located at [[Shankumugham Beach]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], providing an environment where aspiring athletes could receive specialized training. The founding of the school was aimed at nurturing young talent and elevating the state's sports performance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/columns/view-from-my-window/urgent-kerala-sports-need-a-saviour-column-m-g-radhakrishnan-1.8988726 | title=Urgent: Kerala Sports need a saviour | publisher=[[Mathrubhumi News]] | work=M G Radhakrishnan | date=15 October 2023 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

In 2006, the G. V. Raja Sports School was relocated to its current campus at Miletus, near [[Aruvikkara]], Thiruvananthapuram. The move was made to offer better facilities and accommodate the growing needs of the school and its students.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/india/how-this-popular-sports-school-in-thiruvananthapuram-nurtures-talent-8992920.html | title=How This Popular Sports School In Thiruvananthapuram Nurtures Talent | publisher=[[News18 India]] | date=7 August 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==Facilities==
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 Studies|General Education Department (DPI)]] for grades 8 to 10, and the [[Vocational education|Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE)]] Directorate for grades 11 and 12, specializing in [[Physical education]] and [[Sports science]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/kerala-iconic-sports-school-trying-to-regain-its-glory/articleshow/64239844.cms | title=Kerala iconic sports school trying to regain its glory | publisher=[[The Times of India]] | work=Manoj SS | date=19 May 2018 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

The Sports Training Block provides facilities for athletics, [[association football|football]], [[field hockey|hockey]], [[volleyball]], [[cricket]], [[judo]], [[boxing]], and [[taekwondo]]. An Indoor Stadium is available for training during adverse weather conditions. The campus includes outdoor playgrounds for football, hockey, [[basketball]], and [[List of athletics events|athletics events]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/gv-raja-sports-school-up-for-major-facelift/article26262117.ece | title=G.V. Raja Sports School up for major facelift | publisher=[[The Hindu]] | date=14 February 2019 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://keralanews.gov.in/2067/1/gv-raja-sports-school.html | title=State-of-the-Art Indoor Basketball Court and Fitness Center Unveiled at G.V. Raja Sports School | publisher=keralanews.gov.in | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==Achievements==
In 2003 and 2018, the school participated in the [[Subroto Cup|Subroto Cup International Football Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kabiraj-win-again-in-subroto-cup-football/articleshow/336048.cms | title=Kabiraj win again in Subroto Cup football | publisher=[[The Times of India]] | date=2 December 2003 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref> In 2020, the school competed in the [[Kerala School Sports Meet|State School Athletic and Games Championship]]. By 2022, the school enabled 10 students to participate in the [[2026 Summer Youth Olympics|4th Youth Olympics]]. That same year, the school also took part in the National School Sports Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2014/Aug/01/g-v-raja-school-loses-the-baton-642556.html | title=G V Raja School 'Loses the Baton' | work=Adwaidh Rajan | publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=1 August 2014 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://dsya.kerala.gov.in/achievements_2023 | title=Achievements of players from Kerala - 2023 | publisher=Directorate Of Sports & Youth Affairs Kerala | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/how-kerala-school-has-triumphed-hockey-despite-lack-proper-facilities-153914 | title=How a Kerala school has triumphed in hockey despite lack of proper facilities | publisher=[[The News Minute]] | work=KC Arun | date=14 August 2021 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/gv-raja-sports-school-to-nurture-talents-from-keralas-kalikkalam-2024/articleshow/114786150.cms | title='GV Raja Sports School to train athletes from 'Kalikkalam' sports meet' | publisher=[[The Times of India]] | date=30 October 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

=== At Kerala School Sports Meet ===
GV Raja Public School has earned recognition as a top performer at the [[Kerala School Sports Meet]], an annual event. In the most recent edition, the [[2024 Kerala School Sports Meet]], the school was named the best overall performer in the state, with a total of 268 points and 68 medals across categories such as athletics, aquatics, and games.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/thiruvananthapuram/2024/11/12/kerala-school-sports-meet-thiruvananthapuram-champions.html | title=Sports Festival Sparks Dilemma in Thiruvananthapuram | publisher=[[Manorama Online]] | date=12 November 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/sports/kerala-school-games-gv-raja-sports-school/1148368 | title=Return of G.V. Raja: A Legacy Revisited | publisher=[[Deshabhimani]] | work=Jijo George | date=10 November 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2015/Sep/04/beenamols-felicitation-inspired-me-says-sreejesh-809544.html | title=Beenamol's Felicitation Inspired Me, Says Sreejesh | work=Krishnakumar KH | publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=4 September 2015 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>
* [[P. R. Sreejesh]] (class of 2000) – Olympian, former caption of [[India men's national field hockey team]], recipient of the [[Padma Shri]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://telanganatoday.com/paris-olympics-giving-our-best-in-every-game-is-crucial-to-qualify-for-quarters-says-pr-sreejesh | title=Paris Olympics: Giving our best in every game is crucial to qualify for quarters, says PR Sreejesh | publisher=[[Telangana Today]] | date=27 July 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2024/10/30/hockey-great-pr-sreejesh-wants-another-olympic-medal.html | title=Hockey great PR Sreejesh wants another Olympic medal | publisher=[[Onmanorama]] | date=30 October 2024 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>
* [[Shiny Abraham]] – Olympian, recipient of the [[Arjuna Award]] in 1984 and [[Padma Shri]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2015/Mar/14/ray-of-hope-for-g-v-raja-sports-school-728307.html | title=Ray of Hope for G V Raja Sports School | publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=14 March 2015 | accessdate=19 December 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://gvrsportsschool.org/}}

[[Category:Sports academies]]
[[Category:Sports schools]]
[[Category:Sport schools in India]]
[[Category:Sports universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Sport in Kerala]]
[[Category:Schools in Kerala]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Schools in Thiruvananthapuram district]]

G. V. Raja Sports School - Revision history

Samantahfp at 19:34, 3 April 2026