Jammalamadaka Pichaiah, a veteran ball badminton player, brought glory to the game for over two decades in the 1950s and 1960s by winning laurels. And he was not one to give up easily.
Even after crossing the age of 90, he continued to play and popularise the game. He was also the recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1970 and has inspired generations across the country.
However, Pichaiah, who celebrated his 97th birthday last week, is in dire straits now. Fondly known as the ‘grand old man of ball badminton’, he still has people enthralled with his fine strokes.
“I actively played till the 1970s. I even played when I was 91-years-old, not to compete with others but for my self-satisfaction and my friends.”
Born in Kuchipudi in Krishna district in 1918, he dedicated his life to playing and popularising the sport. He came to Warangal in 1947-1948 to work in Azam Jahi mills, but chose to keep playing the game, inspiring scores of people in this part of the State.
He played 15 nationals between 1955 and 1970, winning nine titles, standing second in three and third in two. I have played in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and many other places at a time when there was no proper transport and not much prize money to be won, he told The Hindu .
Though he is content with the recognition he got playing the game for over 35 years, he is not financially sound at a time when he most needs to be.
Recently, he was felicitated by TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu at Hyderabad where he was promised Rs. 5 lakh but it never came.
It will be a good gesture on the part of the TRS government to come forth with a monthly pension for this ball badminton wizard.
