A lower middle class volleyball player, who graduated from the middle class of a double Olympic Medallic. The former bronze PV at Asian Games, Ramana, who is also the father of the Badminton PV Sindhu superstar, knows one thing or two about what it takes to support a sporting dream in India. And despite the challenges that have become the subject of discussion at the moment, he would never discourage the aspirants and their parents from giving their best shots.
“My father died at the age of 3, I was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters. But my elder brothers and sisters, they were so happy to support me and see me playing volleyball at the national level, why? Because I got railroad work because of this sport,” he recalls in an interview with PTI.
“So, if you are the middle class or the lower middle class, being good in any sport opens up opportunities. To not forget, sport is ideal for the overall development of a child,” said the former imposing blocker, who was part of the 1986 team of 1986.
His comments arise in the midst of a debate launched by the recent declaration of the national coach of the Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand that the parents of the middle class should think hard before encouraging children to take sport because those who do not succeed at the highest level have nothing to grow. He also suggested that sport in India is perhaps better suited to those who come from rich families.
Ramana, 61, did not agree with this point of view and said that the key lies in the search for balance, her own household by being a perfect example.
Her eldest daughter PV Divya became a doctor after carving in children’s netball. Sindhu, on the other hand, turned out to be a lavish talent shortly after picking up the racket.
“Talent is always revealed and is never a prisoner of wealth. As a parent, you must find the balance. When I realized that my eldest daughter was inclined, I encouraged him to continue,” he said.
“With Sindhu, she was ahead of everyone in the Badminton court when she entered school 10th in school. She had found sponsors because everyone could see that she was intended for great things. We should also trust the children. They also have instincts,” he said.
“I do not think that like a sportsman, you have to discourage others from sports,” he added.
The life of Ramana as an adhesive was hardly a gentle conduct, but it found a semblance of stability thanks to the position of sports officer in the Indian railways which he won because of his sporting success.
This helped him find the essential financial security and also the woman he would eventually marry, Vijaylakshmi, also a national volleyball player. Both were railway employees, but Vijaylakshmi has retired early to help Sindhu to grow.
“Obtaining a job through sport is one of the main considerations for middle class parents and from what I know, there are many opportunities. The railways itself hire thousands of athletes.
“In addition, being good in sport makes you admit in leading educational establishments through sports quotas. It is the responsibility of coaches to guide young players thanks to an appropriate notification of job offers and other opportunities. All academies should do so,” he said.
Ramana said he had recently shown the path of a young turnip, which could not get a favorite job in the railways, but ended up finding a good position in the income tax service when it was still at the start of the twenties.
“All she needed is advice. This is where people like us should intervene. She just needed to tell her that if not here, then there. The young people who are led are also very intelligent. They find a way,” he said. “We must never forget that obtaining the minimum diploma is also necessary for an athlete (to find a decent job). Nowadays, there is also a quota in jobs for retired athletes,” he said referring to the government’s push to have more retired sportsmen involved in administrative jobs and coaches through various initiatives.
“So, do not discourage, let the child flow. In my opinion, they should be encouraged to find a balance and pay attention to academics too because you do not train all day. There is time for other things,” he added.
Sindhu graduated in trade with a master’s degree in business administration.
Ramana considered that it was “unfair” to suggest that rich athletes are more likely to succeed.
“During the years of Sindhu training, there were days when she asked me how some children in her training were moving by plane while we have always taken the train. But watch it now,” he said.
“The fight will be there but you must be prepared.”
(This story has not been published by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a unionized flow.)
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