KOZHIKODE: Tamil Nadu have always been a strong presence, along with powers like Kerala and Railways, in Indian volleyball and have battled for silverware in national championships for several decades now. However, a look at the state’s youthful squad taking part in the 66th senior nationals at Kozhikode and you will notice the wind of change blowing in the southern state’s volleyball circuit these days.
After winning the nationals thrice and finishing runners-up four times in an eight-year span starting 2007, Tamil Nadu’s success in the championship have stalled in the last two editions as they have failed to get past the semifinals. They have responded to the setback by giving the young blood a chance. Out went senior Indian pros like M Ukkra Pandian, M Naveen Raja Jacob, and D Selva Prabhu, who had carried Tamil Nadu on their shoulders for years, and in came six youngsters with only the experience of playing at the university level.
And the move seems to be paying dividends. On Sunday, the young men held their nerves to overcome a spirited Andhra Pradesh 29-27, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 19-17 and book a berth in the semifinals. “The change in philosophy was deemed necessary by the coaches, players and the state association alike. Teams like Kerala have an upper hand because experience always matters, but our objective for this year is to at least reach the final with this new set of players,” said TN chief coach P Sundaram.
Of the newcomers, libero T Sathriyan, setter V Hariharan and blocker LM Manoj are from SRM University, Chennai while B Midhun Kumar comes from St Joseph College of Engineering, Chennai, MA Abhilash is from STC, Pollachi and A Sheikh Mohammed from Panimalar Engineering College.
The change is also a sign of shifting power in the domestic circuit. “Colleges give players a better deal these days than many departments. They are provided free boarding, food, and education which lures plenty of youngsters,” said Sundaram who is in his seventh year with the state team. Assistant coach S Jaya Prakash, who is also the coach of St Joseph College, elaborates. “We provide good infrastructure — like floodlit indoor courts — and year-round dedicated coaches. They also get to play 30-40 high-profile tournaments in an academic year while departments have to settle for less than 10. So, that is where the players are,” Prakash said.
“GR Vaishnav and N Shelton Moces are the only two players in the squad with some experience, but in a match which could have easily been worthy to be a semifinal or final, it was youngsters like K Praveen Kumar with his serves and Manoj with his blocks that recovered the three points we lost early in the final set and in the end, sent us through,” said Sundaram.
adwaidh@newindianexpress.com