When champions produce more champions
There are some who think that a coach is something that gets you to a stadium but most understand how difficult the job is. Your job ends when the players’ begin. You absorb pressure and criticism and pass on all the glory to the players.
Things get even more complicated when a champion player becomes a coach. A top-notch player who has gone on to become a top-notch coach is usually a rare breed. From Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish to German great Franz Beckenbauer, there has been only a few who have been successful in both phases of their careers. Tennis legend Jimmy Connors was associated with Andy Roddick for around 19 months but failed to bring home a single Grand Slam despite winning eight in his playing career. And he isn’t alone. That makes Rahul Dravid’s work with the India U-19 team worth its weight in gold. We take a look at some others who were champions and are now producing champions.
PULLELA GOPICHAND (BADMINTON)
That a sport has becomes synonymous with a person is probably the most telling comment about his contribution. He became only the second Indian to win the All England Open, in 2001. However, years on, his on-court exploits aren’t just why Gopichand is recognised by the sports fraternity. From producing Olympic medallists such as Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to Kidambi Srikanth, who won four Super Series titles and made five finals last year, nearly every top-ranked Indian has been under his tutelage at some point in time.
CHANDGI RAM (WRESTLING)
Those who scoffed at wrestler Mahavir Phogat when he took his daughters to the ‘akhadas’ to fight boys were perhaps not aware of the veteran’s past. For Phogat was only following in mentor Chandgi Ram’s footsteps. Ram’s daughter Sonika Kaliraman went on to become India’s first female wrestler perhaps paving the path for Phogat’s daughters Geeta and Babita. Chandgi Ram’s ‘akhada’ was the first training centre for women’s wrestling.
Ram was a gold medallist at the 1970 Asian Games. He died in 2010 aged 73.
MUMBAI:
MANOJ KOTHARI (CUE SPORTS)
For Sourav Kothari, one of the top names in the Indian cue sports, the inspiration came from none other than father Manoj. A former world billiards champion, Manoj had a glittering career. After retiring, he become one of India’s finest coaches and was even appointed India’s chief national cuesports coach. Kothari’s wards include Pankaj Advani and Geet Sethi.