There are several camps held across the district each summer. But, this one is extra special. The Hindu , along with the Sri Rams' Volleyball Academy, Coimbatore District Volleyball Association and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, will conduct an exclusive summer coaching camp in volleyball for boys and girls (10 to 16 yrs) at VOC Park Corporation Sports Complex courts here from April 18 to May 7.
The lucky players will get to train under the watchful eyes of Arjuna Awardee and Dhronacharya G.E. Sridharan and another former international star in V.C. Ramalingam. The duo has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many a talented player. They promise to give their time and energy for the benefit of the campers this time round as well.
Besides Sridharan, the head coach of the senior Indian team, and Ramalingam, there will be two other women coaches in Maheswari (NIS) and Annamma. The latter is the State women's team coach. “The city has got a strong talent pool in volleyball. But we have found it difficult to spot these talents for want of summer camps the past two years. The last time we conducted a camp we picked two players who went on to play at the top level,” said Mr. Sridharan.
“It's going to be a very useful camp. I am eagerly looking forward in picking children with good height and great physical ability. I don't want to just pick them but I want to mould them into champion material,” he added.
Twenty players each in both boys and girls section will be picked during the trials to be held at the camp venue on April 18 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The selected players will get to train from April 19 onwards. The camp will be held both morning (6.30 to 8.30) and evening (4 to 6.30). Registrations can be done with the SDAT office in Nehru Stadium or participants can report directly at the venue on April 18 for the selection trial.
