Trivandrum tennis club completes 72 years of glory
August 5, 2010
Like wise the Golf club in Kowdiar at the heart of the Trivandrum city we have got a prestigious club that is none other than the Tennis Club or popularly known as TTC. Beginning of the 20th century this game was not at all a popular one in the erstwhile Travancore State. But the only person who thought or wished to start ,in other words it was in 1937 the idea of starting a tennis club in Trivandrum dawned upon Col. Goda Varma Raja (popularly known as ‘Thirumeni’), Prince Consort of Her Highness Karthika Thirunal Thampuratty, sister of His Highness Sri Chitra Tirunal, then Maharaja of Travancore. An All India Lawn Tennis Association was arranged by Henry Crochet (France), Burke and Ramillon to India. The proposed Tennis Club was formally inaugurated on 1st February 1938 at Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum, with Col Goda Varma Raja as President. the office of the Club was located in Radhapurakkunnu, at Sasthamangalam Junction. The Club premise with a small three room building was taken on lease from Captain VP Thampi on a lease rent of Rs.5/- per month. Two tennis courts were laid out and provision for wall practice was made by providing a cement wall at one end of the Club premises. On 1st February 1938, the opening day, there were eleven members. During 1938-39, nine more members joined the Club. His Highness, late Sri Chitra Thirunal, Maharaja of Travancore, graciously consented to be the patron-in chief of the Club. His Highness the Elayaraja and His Highness the first Princess of Travancore agreed to be Patrons. Later Princess Gouri Parvathy Bayi and Princess Gouri Laxmi Bayi also gave their consent to be patrons.
1950 -51 was a year of signal importance to the Club. The construction of the Club building was begun that year. The entire construction was carried out with the funds raised from prominent personalities in Quilon, Kottayam, Kanjirappally, Kayamkulam and Trivandrum who joined the Club as Life Members. Subscription for Life Membership then was Rs.10, 000/-. By 31-08-1953 the construction was completed for a total cost of Rs.1, 07,457/-. The entire construction cost of building was borne by Life Member subscription and donations. Another thing to note is that the both the Golf Club and Tennis Club is situated at the Kowdiar and was built up by the Travancore Maharajahs at that time. The Tennis Club is around 73 years old .
Altogether 9 tennis courts including 2 synthetic and 1 lighted court are available and members may reserve tennis courts for playing on any day between 9AM and 3.00PM for playing in court Nos 5& 6 and after 6.45 PM for Court No .1 with lights .Reservation Charges are Rs.100/- per hour per player. Cost of Electricity charges at the rate of Rs.120/hour will be charged extra for lighted courts.Full fledged tennis coaching is available for boys and girls below 15 years and private coaching for grown ups. There are Wall practice court for beginners. Indoor game zones are available in Tennis Club. Billiards and Snooker timing is from 6.30PM to 10.30PM on all days. There is a Lounge , well furnished for light refreshments, with Library, Reading Room and Television.There is also a lawn exclusively for family and members,Gymnasium ,a Jogging Track for use of members and trainees. Canteen-Food (on order) may be available right from 6.00AM to 11.00PM. Guests-Members have the liberty to introduce guests. The same person cannot be entertained as a guest for more than 10 days in a month. Credit Facility is also available for members .Maximum credit limit to use the Club facilities Rs.5000/-. The Club is open from 6.00AM to 11.00PM.
There is a Conference Room with cozy member lounge and charming outdoor services, Trivandrum Tennis Club is a wonderful place to hold a private function. They are successfully hosting company activity days, birthday parties, wedding rehearsal parties and charity fundraisers. The room can comfortably handle up to 50 people and have the option to arrange our own catering or use other catering services from outside . Tennis events, card games, billiards, shuttle and billiard games can also be conducted if there is a need to add a bit of physical activity to the function. All the club facilities are available on rent for its exclusive members and for their guest. Members receive a rental discount for any special events they hold at the Club.
With the Royal Patrons blessings and support, Col Goda Varma Raja placed Tennis in a Golden Bowl and installed it in the magnificent abode in Kowdiar Gardens, built with the help, encouragement and continued patronage of the Royal Family. The Trivandrum Tennis Club continues to basket under the glitter and glory of this Royal Patronage. It behaves on the members as well as those associated with the various activities of the Club, to remember, cherish and imbibe the grandeur as well as glamor the institution continues to enjoy owing to the Royal Patronage which gave impetus more than six decades ago to its establishment as well as continuing growth and fulfillment.
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Good article.Keep it up
on August 6th, 2010abt 75 yrs. Hw many state plyrs did club prduce? Mre thn sports, a club 4 socialising 4 th rich nd famous.
on August 6th, 2010@Renjith
on August 7th, 2010Lets try to look at the positives.. it will be many more years before we produce some quality players..
@kenney
on August 7th, 201075 yrs and many mre years! I apreciate ur gumption 2 say so
what is the member ship fee in the trivandrum Tennis club,
on November 20th, 2010initial payment and monthly