Pandi sets up his team’s wins
Indian setters generally reach their peak when they approach 30 years of age. But Tamil Nadu’s M. Ukkrapandian has almost achieved perfection six years earlier. The way he masterminded the state’s triumph in the final of the national volleyball championship against Kerala recently was testimony to his abilities. Pandi’s calm approach was critical to the success of Tamil Nadu because Kerala had forced a decider after taking the first two sets.
“I never lost my self-belief even when it appeared that it was Kerala’s day. I knew our team’s quality. It was only a question of getting our act together. Winning the national title in front of our fans was unforgettable. To do it in such a thrilling fashion added gloss to do our win,” he added.
Tamil Nadu coach G.E. Sridharan paid glowing tributes to his setter’s performance in the final. “He was our team’s heartbeat on that day. We would have lost the final had he panicked. I had always wanted Pandi to justify his tag of India’s No.1 setter and he proved his pedigree against Kerala,” he said.
A native of Alanganallur near Madurai, Pandi first played volleyball when he was in ninth standard. His father, T. Mohan, remains his greatest motivator. “His love for sports is infectious. He was here for the national championship to encourage me. When India’s matches are shown live on TV he makes sure that everybody in Alanganallur is aware of my participation,” Pandi said.
Setting wasn’t Pandi’s forte when he was in school. “I was deemed too tall for a setter. So I played as a blocker in 10th and Plus One. My position changed only I after joined SDAT’s centre of excellence in Chennai in 2004. I owe my career to the guidance of SDAT coach S. Dakshinamoorthy. He told me that I would do well as a setter,” he added.
From SDAT’s training school to India’s main setter, Pandi’s rise had been swift. According to the setter, joining IOB in 2006 turned his career around. “After playing for the national youth team in 2007, I made my debut for the senior side the same year. My first tournament for the senior team — at the central Asian championship in Pakistan — was a perfect launch. We won the title and I bagged the best setter award. That event instilled belief in me that I was cut out for the job,” he recalled.
Pandi has flourished under a variety of coaches. “I’m fortunate that all my coaches — Dakshinamoorthy (SDAT), P. Sundaram (IOB) and G.E. Sridharan (Indian senior team) — had been setters. They all have enviable knowledge on the subject. Each one of them has made me a better player. I will also be indebted to my teammates, especially setter Thulasi Reddy, forever for their guidance and encouragement,” he added.
India’s shocking loss at the hands of Thailand in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games at Guangzhou has become a nightmare for the star. “It will always remain a missed opportunity in our country’s history. I may play another Asian Games and win a medal but the bitter memories of Guangzhou will never leave me,” said the born fighter, who hates losing even in practice matches.
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