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Setter's success story
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Nineteen-year-old Ukkarapandian has reached dizzy heights as a setter in the national side in a short span of time
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Photo: R. Ragu
FILLING THE VACUUM M. Ukkarapandian at a practice session
He came like a bolt from the blue. Three years ago, M. Ukkarapandian was not known even in the Tamil Nadu volleyball circles. Today the tall and athletic setter has already donned the Indian colours in international competitions and is all set to follow in the footsteps of the well-established national setter Kapil Dev of Railways. From being a school-level player, he has reached this level in such a short span of time.
Not all setters are as lucky as Ukkarapandian. In a State, which was suddenly experiencing the dearth of a quality setter, Ukkarapandian's arrival came as a relief to the Association officials. Tamil Nadu has produced a series of class setters over the years. G. E. Sridharan, Manoharan, Pon Sundaram, Mangalam Jayapaul, Chitrapandian, Sampath Kumar and Yoganand have donned the State colours and most of them represented the country in international competitions. But in the last five years, there has been a big vacuum in finding a quality setter for the State team. In fact, Pon Sundaram, who was out of circulation for some time, has been roped in to help Tamil Nadu in the National senior championships despite his age.
Though Kamaraj, who won the No. 1 setter award in the World youth championship in Thailand in 2003, came into focus three years ago, he could not remain in the State as he got a job in ONGC. His progress to the national level was also quick. But his problem is he is not as tall as Ukkarapandian. As the Sports Authority of India (SAI) insists that all players selected for the Indian team should be 190 cm plus, the Volleyball Federation of India has no option but to choose such players.
Pandian's entry into Tamil Nadu volleyball was by accident. "We saw him first in the Pongal Day sports in Madurai. He was an attacker then. So we decided to convert him into a setter because we have so many attackers over 190 cm. This was just an attempt and it clicked. He picked up setting quickly and because of his height, he straightway came into the junior and senior State teams," said SAI coach Dakshinamoorthy.
"His block is his tremendous advantage. Of course, he has to learn more combinations in setting and should prove his worth in international competitions. He is certainly a big catch for the State and the VFI and can reach greater heights through hard work and dedication," said G. E. Sridharan.
"He got exposure at a fairly young age. He is about 19 and he has played for the Indian junior team in Italy. He is lucky to get that break. We were not so lucky in our days. So he must work hard to reach the No. 1 position," said Manoharan.
Chitrapandian feels his release of the ball is superb during play and his height is a tremendous advantage. "Our problem is we are getting mostly short setters. This is why Ukkarapandian gets preference over others," he said.
The Madurai boy played against two teams in the international tournament in Italy and the Indian team retained the title, beating Hungary. "I played against Sofia. It was quite an experience," said Ukkarapandian. But he was not nervous.
What a break for a boy who played for the senior State team and for the country in just one year!
M.C. RAMAN
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