RHYTHMS OF MAHINDRA PERCUSSION FESTIVAL
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Members of Kovai Boys have known each other for four or more decades.
Coimbatore District Basketball Association and the managing director of CRI Pumps), with his experience at National Textile Corporation and Bharathiyar University, is a force on the court and a business leader off it. Kovai Boys’ skipper Navaratan Kumar Bafna, who played for SBI and captained Tamil Nadu to Nationals, brings both athleticism and acumen to the game. Sridhar, whose basketball journey began at the tender age of 11, went on to represent the Indian Railways. These are just a few; each member has a unique story of dedication and a love for the sport.
Saravanan’s sports journey, for instance, began in class VIII with an initial focus on football. His father was a basketball coach and one of the few FIBAcertified referees in Tamil Nadu. Accompanying him to the basketball courts diverted Saravanan’s interest from football.
“I am grateful for the opportunities basketball has brought into my life and glad to be playing with my friends once again,” he says. “The introduction of veteran tournaments is exciting because it caters to players who have been part of the sport for many years.”
Sridhar, too, was influenced by his father to take up the sport as a schoolboy. His father,
Rajamanickam, a statelevel coach, created an environment where basketball was deeply ingrained in his life.
Though a decadelong hiatus due to family commitments occurred, the allure of the court remained strong. His return to competitive play, while challenging, felt like a reawakening of his earlier days, even with the limitations that age brings.
“I’ve lost some speed with age. My approach relies more on experience and strategy now, adapting to my body’s limits while still seeking out those oneonone matchups,” he says.
Purpose of play
It isn’t easy for these middleaged men to engage in competitive sports again. They all have to find the same time for practice and play. Work can wreak havoc, families can demand more time, and motivation can dwindle. Yet, stepping onto the court has become a healthy addiction for Kovai Boys.
Why?
For Navaratan, the captain, basketball instils life lessons in those who play, emphasising discipline, control, and the importance of teamwork. As a team sport, it teaches the significance of coordinated effort, mirroring the dynamics of a family where understanding and cooperation are essential. Basketball’s influence, for him, extends beyond the court, serving as a metaphor for life’s