VOLLEYBALL PLAYER #5
"Growing up in the coastal villages of Kanyakumari, proper volleyball grounds and coaching were almost unheard of. I started my journey in 2005 by simply watching senior players from nearby areas like Melmidalam and joining them whenever I could. What I learned came through observation, passion, and endless practice rather than formal training. My big break came when I saw a newspaper announcement for a district selection. I attended the trials, impressed coach Senthur Pandian, and was selected to represent Kanyakumari district.
Later, under coach Arul Bose, I transformed from a playful village boy into a serious athlete. While studying at Scott Christian College, I managed to balance academics and volleyball, winning the university championship in 2008 and playing in four major tournaments. My time at Sathyabama University further exposed me to tough South Zone and All India competitions, which helped me mature tactically and mentally as a player.
Due to financial challenges, I eventually went to Qatar for work, but volleyball found me again there. What started as a casual Friday game turned into something bigger when a top Qatari team noticed my game and invited me to play for KMC club. Playing against teams from countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Philippines, I was fortunate to be named Best Player in some tournaments and even got featured in Qatari newspapers. Back home, I was part of the legendary ‘RAR’ team along with Vijayakumar, who was our backbone. We dominated district tournaments for about five years. Later, as work took many of us away, the team spirit faded, but my love for the game never did.
Over the years, I suffered several serious leg and ankle injuries, including one that left me bedridden for six months and another that needed surgery and steel plates. But no matter how far I tried to step away, volleyball always pulled me back. The game is in my blood. I even had the chance to share my experience as a coach at Loyola College when my friend Ravi asked me to train their team. We won two district-level championships, and one of my students, Alson, went on to become a coach himself—something I’m deeply proud of.
I also played as a guest for institutions like State Bank and Indian Bank, where I learned valuable lessons from national-level players like Mohan about technique and mindset. Through all these experiences, my core belief has remained the same: fitness, focus, and purpose define a player’s journey. It doesn’t matter how big the club is—what matters is giving your best wherever you play, taking responsibility, and striving to improve every single day."
