They hail from the Hi-tech City of Hyderabad. However they bring glory in a truly Indian sport – kabaddi. Incidentally, this is one discipline in which India has been winning gold in the Asian Games without a break since 1990 when it was first introduced as a competitive discipline.
One gentleman who stands as a perfect symbol of rare commitment, selfless zeal and hard work in the sport is the stocky Dhanam Reddy. That he traverses a distance of about 50 km almost daily to keep his trainees in the pink of condition for major events is a pointer to his invaluable contribution to the sport which also saw him produce three Arjuna Awardees – the first one was Neeta Dhadwe (now chief coach of the Indian team for this month’s Incheon Asiad, Mamata Poojari and captain Tejaswini Bai who led India to gold in the last Asiad).
So, when these fab four from Hyderabad assembled for a brief training session at the RRC Grounds (all of them belong to South Central Railway) before joining the national camp in Bhopal en route Incheon, the regulars could easily sense that another serious effort is on to see that India retains the gold.
For Tejaswini Bai, this month’s Asiad is her second and she is in the mood to be a ‘double gold medallist’. “It is not going to be easy; other teams like Iran, Korea have improved a lot,” she cautions.
Neeta Dhadwe feels this Indian women’s kabaddi team has a perfect blend of experience in the form of the likes of Mamatha Poojari and newcomer Kavita Singh who can rise to the occasion. This team can take pride in the presence of World Cup winning captain Mamata whose body language might be misleading once she enters the court.
With focus in the final phase of the Asiad camp being more on the game than on mere fitness, there will be a serious introspection on the strengths and weaknesses. “For sure, we enter the Asian Games knowing fully what is expected of us against some of the tough opponents,” insists Neeta Dadwe.
The success story of these kabaddi players and the coach, is expected to lure more youth into the sport.
“Our life itself has changed after the Asian Games gold. We are thankful to the Railways for all the support and Dhanam sir for all his efforts to shape the raw talent into performing individuals,” was the general feeling of these Arjuna Awardees. The coach however is yet to be given any cash incentive for his outstanding contribution even at the recent Telangana State Government felicitation of sportspersons and coaches,
With the Pro Kabaddi League for men being highly successful in terms of financial support (the winner got Rs 50 lakhs) and growing fan base, these women kabaddi players too are hoping for a separate league early next year.
“If that happens, nothing like it. It will also help the sport spread to the rural areas, generating a lot of hope and raising the aspirations,” feels Dhanam for whom the daily routine of being at RRC continues even as his players move one step higher in life and in sport.
