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Young and quick learners

Two youngsters are working hard to represent the country

Photo: R. Ashok

Ebullient Bustling with life

Bathed in sweat, young cagers S. Mohamed Aboobacker and J. Jonathan Ebenezer Jeyapandian come out of the basketball court after a rigorous practice session. The hunger to achieve is writ large on their faces. The duo is part of the State team that participated at the National Youth Basketball Championship in Jaipur this January.

Great experience

“We played in a tournament of such magnitude for the first time and it was a great experience. We absorbed the techniques and movements of other players. We are now working to add the skills in our arsenal,” says Aboo.

He and Jonathan attribute their success to the basketball coach with Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Tiruchi unit, M. Rama Subramaniaraja, under whom they have been training. Interestingly, both were initially interested in other sports, but it was their coach who found the hoopsters in them. “They had the height, agility needed for a cager. Hence I convinced them to take up the sport. They are making good progress,” says Rama Subramaniaraja.

Jonathan, son of former Indian cager, John Selvakumar Pandian, says that he used to get some tips from his father especially before the start of any tournament. “We discuss a lot about the game and he shares his expertise with me, which is of great help while competing in higher levels,” he says.

Presently the youngsters are keenly working on improving their overall game, apart from some technical adjustments.

Aboo, a pivot, is focussing on developing his post-play moves. “A good pivot is a very important position who can win you matches. He gets better with every tournament he plays,” says Rama Subramaniaraja.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, a forward, is concentrating on long-range shooting, drive-in shots and rebounds.

“As a forward his conversion rate should be high. Hand and eye co-ordination is very important to find the target,” the coach adds.

Terming the two as quick learners, Rama Subramaniaraja says they still have got a long way to go.

“The immediate goal for us is to secure a place in the State team for the junior nationals. We feel it is the first step towards realising our dream of representing India,” they say.

G. PRASAD

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