Kerala Police raring to go

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Kerala cops, holding a sound sports history, were one of the major sports entities in the country years ago. Though times have diminished their name and fame, the State Police volleyball team, which has played just a season, has made astounding results.

Within a year of the revival, the team has won three all-India titles and six all-Kerala tournaments. The team, coached by T.V. Sumithrov, defeated volleyball powerhouses Indian Overseas Bank, Kochi Refinery, Kerala State Electricity Board and Integral Coach Factory.

“Though there were several challenges, the police in the state has once again proven it is at its best. “We are trying to rope in India International M.T. Azeez. With his inclusion, we will be one of the top teams in the country,” said Yasar Arafath, assistant coach of the team. His appointment will be declared within a week, at a function to name the players of volleyball and basketball women teams.

“We want to include Azeez in the team as early as possible. Though the player has several offers from the Middle East, we were able to persuade him to play in the State,” he says. At present, Azeez is playing as a guest player in the team.

With the inclusion, the team will be at its optimal level. “We have to tune the team to its best form before the major competition, the all-India Police Games, that is scheduled to be held in Himachal Pradesh next year. The victories have only increased our confidence levels,” said the coach.

The current team has also setter Manu, who has received calls for the national team camps. Apart from this, Ratheesh from Thiruvananthapuram and all-rounder Hasal have made the team stronger. The other team members are Varun Kumar, C.K. Sanal, Sooraj Mathew, Sujith Mathew, Sujith Kumar, Praveen Radhakrishnan and Gireesh.