After close to three decades of contribution to kabaddi, this 60-year-old South Central Railway (SCR) chief coach is set to bid adieu to a job that has doubled as his passion.
Sanvath Dhanam Reddy, whose moustache would remind one of Australian cricketing great David Boon, has been a quiet achiever, producing three Arjuna Award winners and several Asian Games gold medallists too.
Some of his most prominent trainees have been Arjuna Awardees Neeta Dhadwe, Tejaswini Bai and Mamata Poojari besides Asian Games gold medallist Kavita Sing — all from SCR.
Fitting tribute
So when organisers of All India Railway Kabaddi Championship at RRC felicitated Mr. Dhanam Reddy, incidentally at the venue which he had virtually made his ‘second home’ for so long, it was a fitting tribute to someone who rarely even reacted to being snubbed when it came to bagging high-profile assignments.
Strange as it may seem, Mr. Dhanam Reddy was not even involved in the Pro Kabaddi League despite his record as a coach and someone whose knowledge of the game is indisputable.
‘Glad about contribution’
“I never thought of quitting my job despite being treated with indifference. I always thought of training champion players and I am glad about my contribution,” Mr. Dhanam Reddy adds.
Ask him about his only regret and he says it is not getting the Dronacharya Award.
For regulars at RRC, players or visitors, the familiar sight of Mr. Dhanam Reddy with his kabaddi players would be sorely missing from next month.
Post-retirement plan
The former SAF Games gold medallist, who owes his career to his friend Subash, says his post-retirement plans include setting up an Academy to stay in touch with the game. “I can’t think of being away from the game that gave me everything,” he points out, adding, “Kabaddi has gained a lot of popularity since my days (he played in nine Nationals for Indian Railways) in dusty outdoors to the synthetic surfaces at AC indoor stadia. That’s a great sign for the sport.”
