Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle is due to visit Puthuppally in Kerala on August 30 as part of a trip that mixes cricket, culture and community events.
Tribute and welcome
Gayle is expected to arrive at about 10 am. His first stop is the grave of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, where he will lay flowers for the late politician, who had a long association with Puthuppally. He will then go to the Georgian Public School ground for a formal welcome.
The visit is meant to draw wider international attention to Puthuppally’s sporting and cultural identity.
Cultural procession
A highlight will be a procession of 11 traditional art forms linked to Puthuppally and Kerala. The performances are expected to include Kathakali, Pulikali, Koodiyattam, Kalaripayattu, Thiruvathira, Koothu and Panjari Melam. The official logo of the Puthuppally Heritage Cultural Committee will also be unveiled.
Gayle will later meet students, giving young cricket fans the chance to meet one of the sport’s best-known figures.
Possible stadium site
He is also scheduled to visit Vennimala, which has been identified as a potential location for an international cricket stadium. The visit should add to interest in Puthuppally’s ambitions to develop its sporting facilities.
Details of the stadium’s funding, approvals and construction timeline have not been confirmed.
