PATNA: There aren’t many men who have had a hand in shaping the fortunes of kabaddi than Bhaskaran Edachery, the Indian women’s team chief coach.
The 51-year-old, who is here in the city in his capacity as one of the coaches of U Mumba, knows a thing or two about the sport. His first association with kabaddi began when, as a 13-year-old, he used to practice raids back in Kannur, his native place.
“Taking up the sport was a simple decision,” he says . “We weren’t from the privileged class and the nearest athletics track or football field was a long way away. And given kabaddi didn’t place any financial constraints on our families (lack of sporting equipment), it offered us a way to escape the drudgery.”
Since playing in the mud in Kannur all those years ago, Edachery — or Bhaskaran Sir as he is called by his students — has come a long way. After coaching the men’s team to Asian Games gold in 2010, he repeated that feat to coach the women’s team to gold in 2014 to complete a unique double. A feat that he is proud of. “I am really happy with that actually. I was the coach of the men’s side till early 2014 but after the women’s coach was removed, I was asked to step in as the federation thought they needed an experienced head,” he explains.
And his experience in winning titles is barely believable. “After I was appointed coach of the men’s team in 2009, I think we have won almost everything. The only defeat I can think about is the loss to Iran in the final of Beach Asian Games last year.”
And he has a theory on why India is a superpower in the sport. “We have a brilliant foundation. The grassroots tournaments… there is a step-by-step layer and only the most successful reach the national team. And since the international teams don’t have that, we continue to lord over them.”
Bhaskaran, who is fluent in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi, also talks passionately about sledging and why it is such an important component of the sport. “I think sledging exists and it is good in a way. When you, as a raider, go to the opposition half, you do all the histrionics not to prove that you are an alpha male but to get some confidence. It’s not easy when you are facing seven guys,” he points out.
He is obviously a fan of the new league because of the livelihood it has provided to the many men. He cites an example to further emphasise the point. “Shabeer Sharfudheen is now a player with U Mumba. He didn’t have access to money. His father is an auto driver back in his hometown of Palakkad. But now it has all turned for the better.”
What next for this serial winner? “To help U Mumba win the title,” he smiles.