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For a basket of goodies
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After several twists and turns, Sanjay Raj has worked his way up the ladder. His best is yet to come
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Sanjay Raj: modest, but firm on his basketball ambitions — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash
WHEN SANJAY Raj clasped a ball at the Jayanagar Sports Club (JSC) for the first time in 1999, he was a 15-year-old looking for an interesting way to spend his summer holidays. Little did he know that five years down the line, his summer pass-time would fetch him a berth in the National men's basketball team.
Standing at a towering six feet, 10 inches, this lad looks like he was born to play the game but says: "I never got serious about the sport until I was dropped from the under-18 state camp."
It came as a rude shock to Sanjay and it made him realise how much the sport meant to him. Following this, he spent 12 months working untiringly to perfect his game and his efforts paid off. In the next state camp, he won a place for himself in the under-18 state team. It is the dogged determination of this youngster that has helped him to make big strides in the competitive world of sport.
A chance to represent the country was now "only a step away" for this JSC pivot, but despite appearing on the list of probables for the under-16, and the under-19 national teams, Sanjay could not cross that last hurdle. He failed to make it to the final 12. Down, but not out, Sanjay decided to be patient. Once again, it paid off.
The big break came in April this year. "I was invited to the India camp in Ludhiana and I was a part of the team that played the Champions Trophy in Dubai," said an enthusiastic Sanjay.
But this young achiever has his feet firmly rooted to the ground. He keeps his ambitions small and realistic. "My dream is to play in the Asian Basketball Championships for at least two years," says Sanjay modestly.
Making a career out of basketball may not be "the way to go" for this 20-year-old. "My father would never hear of it," he said very seriously. "My mother is very encouraging though," he is quick to add. The never-ending clash between sports and studies is the bane of every young aspiring sportsperson. It is no different in Sanjay's case. "Basketball has always come in the way of academics, but I choose to give more attention to the game."
His father does not approve of his choice for obvious reasons. But Sanjay's college is extremely accommodating. "They allow me to come in late and they are very co-operative when it comes to attendance."
When asked about the most memorable game of his career so far, Sanjay recalls a game from The Association Cup where he top scored with 16 points and assisted JSC to beat his current team, HAL. He dubs Vijaya Bank as the "toughest opponent" he has faced and his old coach, Srinivas Murthy, as "the person who has influenced his game the most".
A.N.
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