On a quiet Thursday evening inside the Sports Authority of India’s cavernous volleyball arena, G.E. Sridharan is belabouring his charges.
“Please use your brains,” he says. “Do not be so predictable.” One player’s punishment is to crawl for some distance on the ground; “If you want rest, take it outside the court,” another is told. “If you’re not serious,” he shakes his head in disapproval, “Do not be here.”
When it is put to the coach of the Indian men’s volleyball team that he seems rather stern, the 60-year-old breaks into a wide grin. “I have to be strict. You see, this is the national side.”
A member of the last Indian side to win a medal at the Asian Games, in 1986, Sridharan is moulding the current generation in desperate hope of a repeat performance at this year’s edition. “1986 was a long time ago. The years are passing and we are not winning anything,” he rues.
“It is absolutely important that we win a medal this time. We have to be on the podium. Only then will Indian volleyball improve.”
For all his tough-talking ways on court, it is evident Sridharan has enormous faith in his wards.
“It is very difficult to win an Asian Games medal but I am sure my boys will do better than what we have managed in recent times. We have a good team. The young players like Navjit Singh, G.S. Akhin, Prabagaran and Pankaj Sharma are the best crop we have had for some time now. We finished sixth in 2010. This time, we’re hopeful of getting a medal.”
This team wears a different look from a year ago, with some senior names missing. The emphasis on youth is evident.
“It’s a good thing to get the youngsters in,” Sridharan says. “In some positions, you need experience, like Ukkarapandian and Ranjit Singh.
But in others, you need someone powerful, like our universal Jerome Vinith. We make these changes only once in four years.”
Preparation for the Asian Games began in earnest in May at the SAI in Bangalore, with a specific focus.
“Our efforts are completely directed towards improving our blocking,” Sridharan reveals. “India has always had good attackers but if you block and serve well, you can win anything. We always make mistakes in those areas.”
The difference between teams at international level is only marginal, he feels.
“Everyone plays the same volleyball; the only difference is who makes fewer mistakes. It is why we’re training so seriously. I insist that they have to score a point off every ball. You have to be able to perform under pressure.”
Sridharan is pleased, though, with how thorough this training camp has been. The Volleyball Federation of India even brought in two yoga teachers as part of the programme.
“This is not passive yoga,” he points out. “This is sports yoga. We also do exercises to improve our concentration levels and lung capacity. It has definitely helped.”
Two exposure trips have also been planned ahead of the Asian Games in September in Incheon: India will play in the AVC Cup in Kazakhstan next month before heading out to Japan for more game time. “All efforts have been taken; everything is in place,” Sridharan says. “Only the boys have to deliver.”
