The Hindu : Sport : Balaji felicitated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Balaji felicitated

CHENNAI, MAY 4. India paceman L. Balaji received `The Young Achiever award' for 2003-04 from the Rotary Club of Madras during a pleasant function at a city hotel on Tuesday afternoon.

Conferring the award on the Tamil Nadu paceman, who figured prominently in India's historic Test and ODI series triumphs in Pakistan, Rotary president D. Sudhakara Reddy said Balaji was a deserving winner.

Interestingly, Balaji is the third sportsperson in three years, after promising chess player S. Vijayalakshmi and ace athlete Anju Bobby George, to bag the award.

Balaji said the award would prove a motivating factor for the youngsters. The cricketer said he would strive to perform well for India and Tamil Nadu in the days ahead.

Answering questions, Balaji said the Indian team had won the hearts of the people in Pakistan, dwelt on the importance of an off-stump line, rated the wicket of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the third Test as his most valuable one, and recalled that glorious moment when Pakistan's last man Danish Kaneria was dismissed in the third Test in Rawalpindi.

Bharath Reddy, Balaji's coach at Chemplast, said, "I am very proud to have built a person like Balaji." He attributed Balaji's success to `hard work.'

Reddy said he first spotted the talent in Balaji, who was only 17 then, when he took a team to England four years ago. Reddy also highlighted the role played by Balaji's sister in the development of his career.

Remembering the time when Balaji was dropped from the Indian ODI team, during the home series against the West Indies in 2002, Reddy said, he had told Balaji to work hard. On his part, Balaji had promised him, "don't worry sir, I will not let you down."

Reddy said he was Kapil Dev's room-mate on three tours and added Balaji's behaviour, his simple demeanour and that sheer will to do well, reminded him of Kapil in his early days. "Even if he achieves 50 per cent of what Kapil managed to accomplish, he would have made all of us proud."

Director, Club Service, B. Natraj, tracked Balaji's career, right from his P.S. High School — Vivekananda College days to his successes with the Chemplast and Jolly Rovers teams to his achievements for Tamil Nadu and India. "He has been in the news for all the right reasons," he said.

Secretary Viji Joseph participated in the function. T. Ramakrishnan, Director, Vocational Service, proposed a vote of thanks.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport