:Sports in Thiruvananthapuram

Like elsewhere in India, Cricket is the most popular sport in Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite web|title=Top 10 Most Popular Sports In India|url=https://sporteology.com/top-10-most-popular-sports-in-india/|website=Sporteology|accessdate=10 March 2018}} The Sports Hub, Trivandrum, has a seating capacity more than 50,000. In 1984 the city hosted the first international cricket match in Kerala at the University Stadium.{{cite news|last1=K|first1=Krishnachand|title=Thiruvananthapuram all set for T20 international cricket match|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/nov/06/thiruvananthapuram-all-set-for-t20-international-cricket-match-1692992.html|access-date=10 March 2018|agency=The Times of India|date=6 November 2017}} The city also hosted the first T20 International cricket match in Kerala.{{cite news|title=TVPM to host India-NZ T20 on November 7|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/sports/cricket/2017/08/03/kerala-thiruvananthapuram-host-india-nz-t20-november.html|accessdate=10 March 2018|agency=Malayala Manorama|date=3 August 2017}} Prominent cricketers from Thiruvananthapuram include Sanju Samson, Raiphi Gomez, Ryan Ninan, Aneil Nambiar, K. N. Ananthapadmanabhan, Rohan Prem, Udiramala Subramaniam, P. M. K. Mohandas, Bhaskar Pillai, Subramaniam brothers, Godwin brothers and Padmanabhan Prasanth. The Kerala Cricket Association is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite web|title=Contact us|url=http://www.keralacricketassociation.com/|website=Kerala Cricket Association|publisher=KCA|accessdate=10 March 2018}}

File:Beach Football (445993610).jpg

File:Chandrashekaran nair stadium kerala.jpg

Another popular sport in Thiruvananthapuram is Football. Thiruvananthapuram hosted the 2015 SAFF Championship at the Greenfield Stadium.{{cite news|last1=Mohanarangan|first1=Vinayakk|title=SAFF Cup final, as it happened: Chhetri the match-winner as India reclaim title from Afghans|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/saff-cup-final-india-vs-afghanistan-live-can-sunil-chhetri-and-co-halt-a-rampaging-afghan-side-2569120.html|accessdate=10 March 2018|agency=Firstpost|date=3 January 2016}} SBI Kerala, Titanium FC, KSEB Travancore Royals FC and Kovalam FC are the major football clubs based in Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite news|last1=Chandran|first1=M.R. Praveen|title=Titanium football club to turn professional; plans to establish fan club|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/titanium-football-club-to-turn-professional-plans-to-establish-fan-club/article7533034.ece|accessdate=10 March 2018|agency=The Hindu|date=29 March 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Chandran|first1=M.R. Praveen|title=Back in the game: Kerala Blasters and the second football revolution in Kerala|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/back-in-the-game-football-in-kerala/article22716585.ece|accessdate=10 March 2018|agency=The Hindu|date=11 February 2018}}

On 29 November 2018 India's First Fans owned Football club Travancore Royals FC was launched in Thiruvananthapuram.{{fact|date=February 2021}}

File:Palayam View Trivandrum.jpg (Right) and CSN stadium (left)]]

Athletic competitions are usually held at the University Stadium, Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium and Central Stadium.{{cite web|title=University Stadium|url=http://www.kerala2015.com/venues/university-stadium/|website=National Games Kerala 2015|publisher=35th National Games - Kerala 2015|accessdate=27 March 2018}} The Trivandrum Marathon is a marathon organised by the Trivandrum runners club every year.{{cite news|last1=V N|first1=Aswin|title=First-ever midnight marathon in Kerala|url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/first-ever-midnight-marathon-in-kerala/article21310110.ece|accessdate=27 March 2018|agency=The Hindu|date=8 December 2017}} There will be two main races; a half marathon of 21 km and a full marathon of 42.19 km. A special 2 km fun run is also organised for public participation.{{cite news|title=Trivandrum Marathon on December 9 midnight|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/trivandrum-marathon-on-december-9-midnight/articleshow/61937083.cms|accessdate=27 March 2018|agency=The Times of India|date=6 December 2017}} TrivandRun is another marathon conducted every January in the city.{{cite news|title=Run to raise funds for cancer treatment|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2018/jan/07/run-to-raise-funds-for-cancer-treatment-1747243.html|access-date=27 March 2018|agency=The Times of India|date=8 January 2018}}

Other popular sports in the city are Volleyball, Basketball, shooting and Aquatics. India national volleyball player K. J. Kapil Dev is from the city.{{cite news|last1=Pookkat|first1=Sarath|title=Rafi, Kapil do their namesakes proud|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2010%2F10%2F25&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00202&AppName=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327154218/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH%2F2010%2F10%2F25&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00202&AppName=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2018|accessdate=27 March 2018|agency=The Times of India ePaper}} Many basketball tournaments are conducted in the city. Most of them are inter-school tournaments organised by the schools in the city.{{cite news|title=Kazhakootam Sainik School wins basketball tournament|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/oct/30/kazhakootam-sainik-school-wins-basketball-tournament-1686665.html|access-date=27 March 2018|agency=The Times of India|date=30 October 2017}} Trivandrum hosted the 61st National Shooting Championship at the Vattiyoorkavu Shooting Range.{{cite web|title=Information of NSF|url=http://www.thenrai.in/About_us.aspx?link=6|website=The National Rifle Association of India|accessdate=27 March 2018}} Surfing is also a popular sport in the beaches. Many Surfing and Stand Up Paddle tournaments organised in the city.{{cite news|title=National surfing contest begins at Kovalam|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/national-surfing-contest-begins-at-kovalam/article20611361.ece1|accessdate=27 March 2018|agency=The Hindu Businessline|date=3 May 2013}} The surf competitions are usually held in Kovalam Beach and Varkala Beach.{{cite web|title=Kovalam Surf Club: No school, no surfing|url=http://www.kovalamsurfclub.com/|website=Kovalam Surf Club|accessdate=27 March 2018}}

The Trivandrum Golf Club, officially known as SAI Trivandrum golf club is a nine-hole golf course in the heart of the city. Established in 1850, it is one of the oldest golf course in India. It is currently leased to the Sports Authority of India.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://saitrivandrumgolfclub.com/history/|website=SAI Trivandrum Golf Club|publisher=Sports Authority of India|accessdate=27 March 2018}}

File:Trivandrum Central stadium Basketball.jpg]]

File:BAI-U19-Ranking2016.jpg

The city has facilities to host most type of sports. Thiruvananthapuram was one of the main venues for the 2015 National Games of India.{{cite web|title=Venues|url=http://www.kerala2015.com/kerala2015/venues/|website=2015 National Games of India|accessdate=27 March 2018}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2018/nov/23/make-way-for-the-first-fan-owned-football-club-1902149.html ]

• [http://www.sportscouncil.kerala.gov.in/ Kerala State Sports Council]
• [https://tossacademy.com/ Toss Academy Trivandrum]
• [http://www.ttc.org.in/ Trivandrum Tennis Club]
• [http://www.kerala2015.com/ 2015 National Games Kerala]
• [http://trivandrummarathon.com/ Trivandrum Runners Club]

{{Thiruvananthapuram}}