Kho Kho: TN’s Subramani comes a long way

CHENNAI: From initially struggling to break into his school team, to competing in the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho in Pune, Telugu Yoddhas and Tamil Nadu attacker V Subramani has come a long way.

Subramani took to kho kho when he was in Class VI at the Thiyagi NG Ramaswamy Memorial Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore, courtesy his elder brother’s involvement in the sport. It was no smooth sailing at the start, but the 20-year-old Subramani, who hails from Ramanathapuram, upped his game to progress to the level where he is today.

“At the school where I studied until Class V, kho kho was not part of the sports curriculum. I moved to the TNGR School for Class VI and was interested in kho kho. But, I could not make it to the school squad in the beginning since the core was already set. However, I somehow managed to get selected in the team in Class VI itself,” Subramani told DT Next.

“Ashok sir (an employee of the school) supported me and put me in the team. By playing many matches at different levels, I gained experience. When I was in Class VIII, I played in the School Games (hosted by the SGFI) for the first time. I studied in the same school until Class X,” added Subramani, who had to switch schools again.

“For Class XI and XII, I shifted to PSG Sarvajana Higher Secondary School (in Coimbatore). My seniors (from his previous school) joined PSG Sarvajana, so I decided to go there to continue my kho kho journey,” he further said.

Subramani then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Tamil at the PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore, for which he turned out in a number of university/zonal tournaments. Thanks to his eye-catching performances, he made the grade for Tamil Nadu and later went on to represent the state team in Senior National Championships.

Subramani did not stop there as he earned an Ultimate Kho Kho contract with Yoddhas. “I did not expect to get selected. I was nervous when I played my first match. I had never played in front of cameras before. After playing for some time, I felt as if it was just another normal game. Playing in Ultimate Kho Kho will be helpful, including for my higher studies and work,” said Subramani, whose career trajectory suggests that there is more to come.