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The wait for Dronacharya award continues for tennis coach Nagraj
HYDERABAD 04 AUGUST, 2020 17:39 IST
The 59-year-old coach has been running The School of Power Tennis Academy in Secunderabad for the last 23 years and has produced five Davis Cuppers so far.
Tennis coach C.V.
Nagraj at his Academy in Hyderabad. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
For the fifth consecutive year, renowned tennis coach C.V.
Nagraj from Hyderabad is keeping his fingers crossed in anticipation of the
much-awaited recognition by way of a Dronacharya Award.
The 59-year-old coach, who bas been running The School of Power
Tennis Academy with the support of the South Central Railway on the RRC
premises in Secunderabad for the last 23 years, believes he has the credentials
to be a strong contender having produced five Davis Cuppers from his stable –
Susheel Narla, J. Vishnuvardhan, Punna Vishal, Saketh Myneni and Mukund
Sasikumar.
READ: Dronacharya award, an elusive
honour for India’s tennis coaches
Nagraj has relatively kept a low profile despite producing four
Senior National champions but believes the Award will motivate him to continue
his work to produce more internationals.
“It is not that I have been coaching to get these Awards. But,
given the fact that I am qualified at least to apply is what keeps me going
now,” he says. Sports Authority of Telangana State has recommended his name
this year after AITA took up his cause in vain on previous occasions.
“Honestly, I am not sure what factors ultimately decide the
eventual Awardee. But don’t I deserve this?” he asks in a choked voice.