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Brand new innings
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Age does not seem to deter former champion G. Jagannath from pursuing a different career. He now promotes accessories for the game
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Saga of determination Ace table tennis player and national champion PHOTO: Vino John
It is rare for somebody to embark on a new career at the age of 60. But for G. Jagannath, former ace table tennis player and national champion, retirement from the ICF as its senior sports officer has not put a stop to his ambition. He is not one to spurn opportunities. "Opportunities changed my life," he says. It was his elder brother G. Ranganayakalu, who inspired him to take up table tennis when he was a child. "I had no interest in any sport as such. But he persuaded me to try table tennis and the constant sparring with him across the table kindled my interest in the game," he recalls with a smile.
The rest, as they say, is history, as he went on to become one of the most enduring players in Indian table tennis, who served the country at three commonwealth and six world championships, apart from being not only the first Indian coach of the national team but also one who produced tangible results.
Good facilities
Achievements in table tennis brought him into the ICF in 1964 and it proved a fruitful association, a saga of determination and self-improvement. "My best years in table tennis were with the Railways. I won my national title in 1970. There cannot be a better place to develop one's talent. Even today, after serving over 40 years in the Railways, I will say given another chance, I would still like to be with the Railways. The facilities and the opportunities that Railways provide are unmatched," says Jagannath.
Sense of fulfilment
From an apprentice mechanic, he rose to become ICF's senior sports officer, a post he held till his retirement on March 31. "I had served in that post for 25 years and during that period recruited over 500 sportspersons. What brings me a sense of fulfilment now is that there was never a controversy regarding their selection. I consider it equivalent to entering a boxing contest and coming out unscathed," says Jagannath with a touch of pride.
Not surprisingly then for one who finished his playing career on a contented note and his office career on an equally satisfactory high, there is enough inspiration to chart out a new route. Yes, the Stag industries, the company which is internationally known for table tennis accessories, has made him its `Brand Ambassador' and turns to him for all the promotion work. "I have to make all the moves and that means setting up agencies in the state and outside, and maybe travel abroad too," says Jagannath with the delight of a youngster who has just landed his first job. It is a challenge but the man who has seen enough odds in his life and scaled them, knows how to remain imperturbable and think positive.
But didn't the thought of coaching or becoming an Association or Federation official occur to him? "My temperament was not suitable for such work. I may not be the type who would call a spade a spade but I respect talent and values and am unshakeable in my views in this regard. That can be a problem. I realised it during my days in the national selection committee," he said.
It was on the intervention of that father figure of Indian table tennis Ranga Ramanujam that Jagannath accepted and became the first national coach in 1979. "From nowhere, I brought the men's and women's teams into the first category, that is the top sixteen competition in the world championship. Not many were impressed. I was changed but brought back again in 1983 and thereafter in the 1985 world championships. Again I succeeded in improving the team rankings. I have had a hand in the development of players such as V. Chandrasekhar and Kamlesh Mehta as also Indu Puri and Shailaja Saloke," Jagannath explains, though in the end he left the scene unable to brook the `interferences' that tended to mar his efforts.
Looking back, Jagannath recalls the influence of two persons in his life. "It was Fr. McFerran who promoted my playing career and later Fr. Gerard who made me a good human being," he said, while underlining the big role of Don Bosco in changing his attitude from one who thought of only himself to one who believed in the welfare of others.
Loves music
A deeply religious man, Jagannath is also a music lover, in particular the old Hindi cinema hits. And, of course, for company and a `little physical exercise', he has his huge Doberman. With two sons, Deepak and Praveen, both TT players in their own right, well settled in their careers as engineers, Jagannath has experienced those little joys and has savoured the elation of winning the Arjuna Award. "Little to regret, thoroughly satisfied" is how he sums up his life thus far. Yet, the thought strikes him at times, "If my brother had not forced me into table tennis... !"
S. R. SURYANARAYAN
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