For the last few years, young sportspersons from government schools trained at the Padi Sports Academy have dominated the Tiruvallur District Athletics Meet and bagged the overall championship for their academy four times consecutively.
News Today approached the academy’s founder and chief coach Venkatachalapathi to know the secret behind their success. We discovered that it was his drive to realise his lost athletic dreams through his students that is pushing them to new heights.
Talking about his transformation from a sportsperson to coach, 30-year-old Venkat said, “When I was young, I was talented and won medals in State meets. But lack of proper sporting knowledge, guidance and funds put a full stop to my athletic ambitions. I landed a job in Lucas TVS and worked there for seven years.”
However, Venkat says that he had a feeling that something was amiss in his life as he missed being involved in athletics. It was at this point that he started fitness training at a local playground near his house.
“Seeing me train, a few kids also wanted to join. What started out as an amateur attempt to make four kids fit has now culminated in the Padi Sports Academy where more than 60 children pursue their athletic ambitions,” says Venkat.
What amazes people who know Venkat, however, is that he doesn’t take fees from almost half the kids he trains. In fact, he spends out of his own pockets for their sports meet and fitness requirements.
We ask him why, and Venkat says, “Most of them are from Corporation schools and hail from families which struggle to make ends meet. There are many talented sportspersons from poor families who can shine with the right kind of support. The opportunities that I did not get should not be denied to these kids because of money.”
Today, sportspersons whom Venkat trains are shining in the district, State and even national sport meets.
Joshua from Venkat’s academy runs 400 metres in under 51 seconds and is a State champ. Venkat says if he gets his time below 49 seconds, Joshua could easily pocket a national medal.
Gokulakrishnan, a class 10 student, is Tamilnadu gold medalist in walkathon event. In the national meet, he bagged the fifth place. “There are so many talented people here,” says Venkat, pointing to his students proudly.
The only thing stopping the kids from making it to the next step is once again money. In fact, till a few months back, Venkat asked his students to take the fitness equipment he bought for them to their houses as he had no place to keep them. In spite of all this, the young athletes still manage to bag medals defying odds like how their coach does.
Venkat gives coaching at Officers Colony Walkers Park, Padi, from 5 to 7.30 in the morning and 5 to 8 in the evening on weekdays. On weekends, he takes them to train around the city in places like St Thomas Mount and Marina Beach.
You can reach Venkat at 7299984343.