Interview with Srinivas Reddy: "Today whatever I am because of my Kabaddi"
Few men have achieved the kind of success that Srinivas Reddy has achieved in Kabaddi. The 37-year-old was part of the team that won the gold at the 2005 Asian Championships and then after following his retirement , has made a successful transition, having coached the national to the bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Presently coaching the Telugu Titans in the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League, Reddy spoke to Sportskeeda about his early beginnings in the sport, the support he got from his family and friends and why he turned to caching at such a young age.
Here are the excerpts:
Q. When did you start playing Kabaddi?
I started playing Kabaddi in 1992 for my school team. During my school days I got attracted towards Kabaddi. I also represented Osmania University during 1995-1997.
Q. What kind of support did you recieve from your family and friends for Kabaddi?
My family supported me all the time. After marriage my wife also supported my Kabaddi. They always stood behind me all the times. I am doing all these things just because of their support.
Q. How was your journey at the national level Kabaddi?
First I won the bronze medal at rural national level in 1992 and 1993 later I played for my university as I told you. After that I got the job in ONGC in 1998. I participated in I worked there for 8 years. During that time I participated in 2002 national games, 2003 Afro Asian games. I resigned from ONGC in 2005 and joined Andhra Bank as assistant manager in Hyderabad.
The same year I got the chance to represent India in Asian Championship and won gold medal for our country. I also won a gold medal in 2010 Asian games demonstration match China. I also represented Hyderabad state at national level.
Q. How you entered in coaching field so early from playing Kabaddi?
Technical Director of International Kabaddi Federation as well as Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Mr. E. Prasad Rao supported me and gave me a chance to train the South Korean National Team in 2014. My organizations and federation supported me very much because I am so young in the coaching field.
My organization and federation supported me a lot because I am very young in coaching field.
Q. How you got the coaching opportunity with Telugu Titans?
Under my coaching South Korean team won bronze medal in 2014 Asian Games for the first time. I also coached them for beach Asian games of 2014.
After my successful completion of South Korean team, they selected me as a coach for the Telugu Titans team. I selected through Mr. E. Prasad Rao.
Q. What is Kabaddi for you in life?
I am from rural background. I am here today is just because of my Kabaddi.
Q. What do you consider as the best achievement in your Kabaddi career?
My best movement was when I represented India in 2005 and won gold medal. That thing changed my entire life.
Q. Which is easier: being a manager in a bank or playing and coaching Kabaddi? Which thing you find more interesting?
I always love Kabaddi. Today, whatever I am because of my game only. I took my job as a challenge. I always try to give my 100% every time.
Q. You are just 37 and players older than you are playing in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. Don’t you sometimes feel like to just go on mat and start playing when your team is doing something wrong?
Of course I love to play but once gone into coaching I did not want to come a step-down.
Q. What are your plans further in the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi 2015?
We are confident about winning the tournament this time, but right now we are looking to reach semi-final spot and to win it.
Q. Can we still expect some more trump card from Telugu Titans in upcoming matches?
Our every player can win matches on their individual performance. You have already seen different trump cards in every match, where a one individual is performing and winning the match. We will give more surprises in coming matches.