P.V. Ramana, member of the 1986 Asian Games medal-winning Indian men’s volleyball team and an Arjuna awardee, is getting used to being quizzed on volleyball in the lead-up to the nation’s first Pro Volleyball League even as he accompanies daughter P.V. Sindhu to badminton competitions.
He also takes personal interest in her physical preparation, using insights from his own sport which are relevant to court movements in badminton.
Talking about volleyball fitness in badminton, which demands explosive movement, Ramana said, “in volleyball, there are certain positions where a player needs to move fast in multiple angles.
“The central blocker, for example, needs to jump for a block, come back and again jump for the speed attack. In some aspects, both games are similar and hence I could help Sindhu in her preparation.”
He added: “My palm (in volleyball) is like a racquet for a badminton player.
“The way to twist your wrist at the contact point, is how I tried to explain to my daughter. She listens, adapts, then tries to implement.
“The power in her shoulder when moving into attack mode originates from there. I am giving her whatever best I can from my side. If some point I make is not correct, her coaches in badminton are there to decide (what is working).”
Sindhu grew up accompanying him to volleyball matches (he represented South Central Railway team) but has not tried her hand at it.
“She has seen me play, but was only interested in badminton, which is an individual event, whereas volleyball is a team sport where many other factors are needed to succeed,” said Ramana, a fan of India star K Udayakumar. He also admitted to moulding his game on the Kerala international and one-time India captain. Both were on the 1986 Seoul AG bronze-winning team.
Father and daughter will watch the PVL opening ceremony in Kochi. “After a very long gap, youngsters interested can look forward to something.
“All this while, only all-India tournaments were being conducted, now the league is making it possible for kids to focus on volleyball also, besides other sports, and try to get into PVL.”
The two were in Mumbai for a brand ambassador announcement by an insurance company, known for conducting badminton tournaments.