My Physical Education Teacher Mr Iyappan at Montfort School got me to take up volleyball. Back in school I used to participate in all sporting activities. When I was in class 9, I attended a selection trial for school Nationals volleyball but wasn’t picked. I decided then that I would take up volleyball seriously, focus, work hard and make a mark.

I moved to Don Bosco HSS for class 11 and 12 as they had a better team and I think that was a major move for me. The coach there was Mr Baskar who taught me a lot about the game and helped me develop a lot of skills. That helped me become a good student of the game and learn at every level.

It was not a person but an event, my first Youth Nationals. It provided me the platform to display my skills and earn recognition among the volleyball fraternity that I was a player with promise.

U-17 School Nationals, U-19 School Nationals, Youth Nationals twice, Junior India camp, Senior Nationals, Khelo India Youth Games.

After my first selection failure as a class 9 boy, I was naturally depressed but the support I received from my family who told me not to get discouraged and work harder. That’s an unforgettable memory and has helped me grow both as a person and as a player.

It promises to take the sport to the next level in the country. It will help broad base the sport further in the country owing to live TV and media coverage. Watching it, I’m sure a lot more youngsters will take up the sport. I’m thankful to Chennai Spartans for giving me this opportunity.