If you want to strike a conversation with this 23-year-old lad, you need to strain your neck for he is very tall - six feet-six inches to be precise.
Recently, even Sports Minister Kinjarapu Atchan Naidu, who himself is tall, felt dwarfed when he met this lad at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium.
Meet Kakarla Naveen Kumar, who joined the Krishna District Sports Authority as groundsman at the IGMC stadium. His only qualification is his towering and impressive height.
Impressed by the god’s gift, Minister for Irrigation Uma Maheswara Rao referred this Gollapudi-native to the sports officials to help him eke out a living. “I used to take care of Telugu Desam Party work in Uma gaaru’s constituency. He sent me here,” said the ‘walking-tall’.
Naveen is yet to complete his Class X exam and he is presently keeping the courts at the stadium clean for the players to showcase their skills.
Tryst with volleyball
As luck may have it, beanpole Naveen drew the attention of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh volleyball coach Koteswara Rao who was always in search of tall men to shape them into champion spikers.
“I was thrilled when I saw Naveen. For volleyball the important ingredient is height. Interestingly, his mid riff is strong and his body is suitable for volleyball. He needs to beef up his shoulders,” felt the coach.
Mr. Rao began interacting with Naveen and gradually explained his strong point (his height) and the benefits he could get in life as a successful volleyballer. He also narrated the success stories of P. V. Ramana (Ace shuttler Sindhu’s father) and Dronacharya A. Ramana Rao to the youngster to boost his morale.
Regular practice
“I wish I met him two years before. By now I would have shaped him as a talented spiker. He is now coming regularly and spending two hours on the courts. He is now practising under arm and overhead passes. If he shows the some intent for a few years he can emerge as a champion spiker,” predicted Mr. Rao.
Mr. Rao is spending considerable amount of time inspiring him to stay focussed.
“I want him develop passion towards volleyball. I also advised him to stay away from distractions”.
