According to Ramji Srinivasan, the concept of fitness in India has evolved over the last 10 years.
He will talk about his success at an event hosted by the Madras Management Association in the city today.
CHENNAI: Ramji Srinivasan’s jovial guffaw sets us at ease as he rolls a gym ball in our direction. “We don’t have chairs here — we make do with this!” he laughs, as we settle down on the bouncing balls, facing each other at his performance fitness centre in Nungambakkam. Ramji’s name might not ring a bell for most people unless they follow sport closely — in which case his reputation far exceeds him. The first-ever Indian strength and conditioning (S&C) coach to train the Indian cricket team, including the World Cup-winning squad in 2011, Ramji will be talking today at an event held by the Madras Management Association. City Express has a chat with him about his trailblazing career.
Surprisingly, Ramji admits to being a bit perturbed when he was invited to speak to management professionals. “I have no idea what I have to offer to management people!” he laughs, adding that all he can offer are extempore anecdotes gleaned over the course of his career. “Fitness is not rocket science, but it’s still a challenge; and how you approach it is the million dollar question! For me, it means go with the flow, get hurt, get humiliated and come back strong to create a niche!”
He opines that the dramatic change the role of fitness in Indian sports over the last decade is encouraging. “Today, players are becoming more attuned to fitness regimes and proper nutrition because of greener pastures like the IPL and heavier schedules — but when I started, there was absolutely zip!”
By his own admission, things started changing after he helped Sachin Tendulkar get back into form after the latter underwent shoulder surgery in 2006. “People started looking at me differently after that — and the rest is history!”
Ramji carved a path for himself as a part of the support staff for Mumbai Indians in the IPL followed by the call-up from the BCCI in 2009 as the first Indian coach for strength and conditioning for the Indian cricket team. The crowning glory was when the team lifted the World Cup in 2011, followed by their Champions Trophy win in 2013 and their subsequent elevation to the No.1 Test side position. “It was a mega challenge to train players likes Tendulkar, Dhoni, Dravid, Laxman and Sehwag,” he recalls. “There was no room for error at all since I realised that I was setting the bar for future Indian trainers in the profession.”
But why was the first Indian trainer only appointed in 2009, after a long string of foreign trainers? “Foreign trainers had more knowledge and knew how to apply it in practical terms. Indian trainers took time to reach this stage,” he avers.
A believer in growth on a personal and professional level, Ramji left the national side in 2013, after four years with the team, to spend time with family. But that hasn’t stopped his drive to excel — he has since entered Formula One Racing, handling fitness regimens for ace racers Narain Karthikeyan, Armaan Ebrahim and Karun Chandhok. “I’m not one to rest on my laurels, I always yearn to get back to the grind!” he chuckles. “My passion is bridging the missing link between the technology and the boys/players who need it — and I’ve seen some fantastic results over the years!”
Fitness for all
Ramji runs Quantum Leap Performance (QLP) in the city, along with mental conditioning coach Badri Narayanan where he focuses on quality training and fitness for sportspersons and laypersons. He has also been associated with the MRF Pace Foundation and is also the strength and conditioning coach at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Academy (TNCAA). For details visit: www.qlpsports.com