All is not well with the volleyball scene in Telangana for various reasons. But the city-based franchisee in the inaugural Pro Volleyball League, Black Hawks Hyderabad, brings some cheers not just to the players and hopefuls, but to 47-year-old M. Ilias Shameem. The only international referee from the State has been given the privilege of officiating in the PVL starting from February 2 in Kochi and Chennai.
After quitting the sport owing to knee injury after playing in university championship, Shameem moulded his officiating skills under the tutelage of Mohan Rao and S. Athar Raza. Currently working as physical director at Methodist College of Engineering and Technology, he is determined to make a mark in the PVL.
“For referees, there should not be any kind of pressure in officiating as it can’t be any different from the other international events. Given the kind of experience we have, even the new rules of five-set matches of 15 points with ‘challenges’ should not be a problem,” says Shameem in a chat with The Hindu before helping out the Black Hawks in a practice match.
He has officiated in the 2011 Senior Asian Championship in Iran, 2011 South East Asian Games in Indonesia, 2003 Asian Youth championship in Bangkok and 2005 World Youth Championship in Vizag. “Thanks to my brother Ilias Shareef and former secretary of A.P. Volleyball Association late L. Venkatram Reddy, I could reach this level despite all odds,” he gently reminds.
On Pro Volleyball League, Shameem believes if the response from the sponsors continues to be good, it should be bigger than Pro Kabaddi League.
“Even now, volleyball is a big hit among youth as they play in paddy fields. They love the sport. And I know fans in Kochi do not mind buying tickets to play the sport and Chennai is known for its patronage to the sport,” he concludes.