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SMASHing barriers
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During the coaching camps, they train the youngsters, writes SYED MUTHAHAR SAQAF.
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Age cant't wither their spirit
YOU MIGHT think that at their age, the natural choice would be to remain indoors and read religious books, watch TV and perhaps dare to venture out occasionally. But you could well be mistaken. This is a lively group of all septuagenarians and above, who are unbelievably active in their twilight years.
Surprisingly agile for their age, they play ball badminton for an hour daily, coach youngsters and assist the Tiruchi District Ball Badminton Association (TDBBA).
Swift and serious
Their swiftness in the court to pick and serve the ball, place it deftly and smash the ball with a lightening speed into the rival court needs to be seen to be believed.
They are all members of the Elders Club who can be spotted in their sports costume at Jamal Mohamed College (JMC) playground daily taking their game seriously.
The club was launched with this group of retirees who wanted to keep themselves fit. Incidentally, they were all good ball badminton players as well wanting to promote the game, which has deep roots in Tamil Nadu.
The senior most member of this club is 85-year old G. Joseph of Subramaniapuram, a former national player, who along with G. Sambandam, aged 78, also a former national star, have played a key role in promoting the game not only at the district level, but State and national level as well.
K. M. Subramanian (72), R. Balagangadharan (63), an industrialist and president of the TDBBA, are the other active members of the Club.
Rain or shine, this group is seen in the ground on all 365 days. The striking feature is that Mr. Joseph rides a cycle to the venue each morning.
JMC gesture
Seeing their enthusiasm, the JMC management has extended several facilities to them.
"Even during inclement weather, we don't fail to come here and have a chat," says Mr. Sambandam.
The members even help the TDBBA in holding selection trials, running coaching camps and organising tournaments. During the coaching camps, they take personal care to train the youngsters.
"The Club members contribute for hosting tournaments, and are major sponsors for many events," shares the Association secretary, Mr. S. Mathivanan.
On what brought them together to this "poor man's game", Mr. Sambandan quips: "Ball badminton had its birth in the State and was very popular in every nook and corner in the yesteryears. Earlier the tournaments used to attract huge crowds. But of late, the game has begun to lose its charm and we are trying to revive it."
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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