In a quiet corner of Kanakkary in Kottayam, a dream decades in the making is taking shape. The village, long without a proper sports ground, will soon see children and youth playing football on an 80-cent plot generously donated by an 86-year-old Air Force veteran, James Kolavelil, fondly called Jimmy.

The land, located in Kurumalloor and valued at over ₹1.6 crore, will now be transformed into a football ground. For James, the decision was simple. “I have eight to ten other plots, and I wasn’t using this one. The local youth came to me years ago asking about buying land for a sports ground. I thought, why not give them mine?” he said.

The gesture carries deep personal meaning. James’s son, Philip James, passed away in 2017 at the age of 42. “I wanted to build a memorial in his name. This ground will keep his memory alive, while giving joy and opportunity to the youth of Kanakkary,” James shared.

Life has not been easy for James. His wife passed away in 2016, and his two other children are settled abroad. Living alone, he is supported by caretakers, but his commitment to his community remains unwavering. “The other children don’t need these plots. This land can now serve a purpose. That makes me happy,” he said.

James’s dedication to service extends beyond this act. He spent 15 years in the Indian Air Force, later living in Kuwait to be with his wife, before eventually returning home. 

The football ground project officially began with the inauguration on Thursday by Kottayam District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena. The land, primarily a wetland that has been left abandoned for years, will first be raised and levelled. Employees under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) will be roped in for the work, while engineers appointed by the Kanakkary Panchayat will oversee the construction of the ground.

The project budget is estimated at ₹50 lakh. Panchayat President Ambika Sukumaran said, “The panchayat has allocated ₹15 lakh, and funds from the NREGS will come around ₹20 lakh. Around ₹10 lakh will be used to level the land, another ₹10 lakh for pathways, and approximately ₹15 lakh for interlocking and compound walls.”

The initiative also reflects the village’s collective effort. Thirty-three local youths originally campaigned for the ground, many now living abroad. They raised around ₹8 lakh for pathways and land conversion fees, demonstrating their commitment to the dream. Panchayat Vice President Biju Pazhayapurackal praised the youth, saying, “Their contribution shows that this project belongs to the whole community.”

Ward member Vineetha Ragesh noted James’s simplicity and generosity: “He simply informed the panchayat that he wished to donate this land in remembrance of his son. He had no other demands or conditions.”

For the children of Kanakkary, the new football ground will be more than a place to play. It will symbolise hope, opportunity, and the enduring spirit of giving. For James Kolavelil, it is a chance to honour his son, contribute to his community, and give unused land a purpose that touches lives for generations to come. The project will be executed as part of the state government's scheme to have playgrounds in panchayats.