Kerala Olympic Association (KOA) is one of the State Olympic Association (SOA) affiliated to Indian Olympic Association. It is an NGO with its jurisdiction over all the revenue districts of Kerala. KOA is working under a constitution approved by its General Council. KOA is registered under Travancore- Cochin Charitable Societies Act.
KOA was reconstituted on 14th January 2019 and the newly elected office bearers assumed charge on 16 th January.
KOA has 14 District Units ie District Olympic Association and 33 State Sports Associations as its affiliated members on 2019.
Olympic movement started in Kerala after the birth of Olympians in the state. Renowned Athlete and first athletic coach of the State Sri. A.Raghavan Nair intiated the formation of Travancore- Cochin Olympic Association (TCOA) during 1949. Sri.T.N.K.Nair who was the manager of the Travancore team which participated in the Madras provincial games in 1932 was elected as the first President of Travancore Cochin Olympic Association, other Office bearers of TCOA were Sri.V.P.Nair ,Vice President, Sri.R.Balakrishnan Nair( Ex.Mayor, Trivandrum Corporation) - Secretary, Sri. A.Paramesawarn Nair- Joint Secretary, Sri.P.K.Balachandran Nair-Treasurer, former Inspector General of Police Sri.Sreenivasa Rao, Sri.P.M.Krishnan Nair (Santha Bakery), Sri.P.J.Joseph ( former Physical Education Director of Travancore University) Sri.P.Govindan Kutty Nair ( Ex.Mayor, Trivandrum), Sri.P.J.Daniel, Sri.G.Karunakara Kurup, Sri. K.N.Bhaskaran Nair, Sri.George Zachariah, Sri. A.Bhaskaran, Sri.A.Raghavan Nair were the Executive Council members.
The first State Games of TCOA was held at University Stadium, Thiruvananathapuram on 6th & 7th January 1950. Since there was no District Olympic Association during that period teams from various clubs, Institutions, and Police department participated in the Games. Koyilandi Athletic club were the champions of the Games. His Highness Chithira Thirunal Balavarma and members of Travancore Royal family attended the games with their august presence.
The decision to host the first Asian Games at Delhi during 1953, Madras province Olympic Games got its importance. TCOA fielded teams for the Madras Province Olympic games in Athletics, Volleyball & Basket ball. Volleyball & Basket ball team lost to Madras team in the finals.
When Kerala State was formed during 1956 Travancore Cochin Olympic Association was renamed as Kerala Olympic Association. Kerala Olympic Association team participated in the National Games held at Orissa during 1958.
KOA was activated in 1976 by giving affiliation to Sports Associations included in Olympics & Asian Games. Election was held to elect the new office bearers during 1978. Advocate V.G.Govindan Nair was elected as President and Sri.T.S.Bhaskaran Nair was elected as Honorary Secretary. During subsequent periods Sri.Chandrasenan, Adv.K.T.Thomas and Sri.M.M.Abdul Rehaman were elected as President and Sri.V.J.Sebastin ( Ellam) and Sri.P.A.Hamza as Honorary Secretary.