ALAPPUZHA: Malankarites is a basketball team. The members are a group of 20 priests. The sportsmen within Cassocks are advancing by winning tournaments one after another.

Their training was during their theological studies at Mar Ivanios Malankara Seminary, Thiruvananthapuram. Their team was moulded by sports teachers who coached them on the courts of the seminary and Ivanios College campus. They named the team as well.

After attaining priesthood, they parted ways with many responsibilities, but they kept the team going. Even though they were in different districts, they got together on holidays and continued to train and still continue to do so. The group includes priests, government employees and teachers. The junior on the team is a player who got priesthood last year.

Mar Ivanios won the trophy in the Thiruvananthapuram District Open Tournament held at Parassala last year. This year the team was runner-up. The team's next goal is the state championship. The team coordinator is Fr Jobin Kamechamparambil, a basketball coach at a private school in Mavelikkara. Fr Jins Meppurath is the captain of the team.

Other members of the team: Fr Binoy Mathew Puthuparambil, Fr Jijo Mangateth, Fr Biban Kurakkot, Fr Joshua, Fr. Chalil Jacob, Fr Jobin Kamechamparambil, Fr Sherin Thekedath, Fr. Shaiju Nirappuvila, Fr. Regin Puthukkattil, Fr Nikhil Thomas, Fr Prince Alex, Fr Varghese Punnavila, Fr Shanu Chenatt, Fr Nitesh Zakaria, Fr Jeomon, Fr Ajil Malayil, Fr Mathew Vettiyil.

Our desire is to become a well-known team in the field of basketball. We are confident that we can. Will improve training.

- Fr Jobin Kamechamparambil

Team Coordinator