PV Sindhu: I love volleyball... my parents are volleyball players

When current World No 3 badminton player PV Sindhu and two-time Olympic medallist American volleyball player David Lee got together at a studio in the city on Friday afternoon, it was a coming together of sorts. The duo, along with several other Indian volleyball players, were in Mumbai to shoot the promo of an upcoming volleyball league, which will take place early next year.

Interestingly, it turned out that Sindhu’s connect with volleyball goes back to her childhood days. Her parents have been national-level volleyball players; in fact her father, PV Ramana, was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 1986 Asian Games. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2000 for his contribution to the sport.
Speaking about it, Sindhu says, “I love volleyball... my parents are volleyball players. Their involvement in it helped me learn more about the game.”

Ask her if, being a sportsperson, her dad has ever shared any tips with her and she replies, “The jump smash is common in both the games and it is something that I learnt from him. Also, the movement is quite similar in both the games; it’s just that badminton uses racquet while volleyball is played by hand and is tougher. He often gives me inputs on my game and I try applying it.”

Speaking about the league, she said, “This will encourage more players and the sport. Currently, the sports scene in India is quite buzzing, so why not add to it and provide more support. Volleyball has changed over the years, going by the times when my father was part of it — right from the government’s involvement to getting sponsors on board. Such endeavours bring players from every state together; interacting with senior players also changes one’s outlook toward their game.”

The league, which is a first in India, will also see David being part of it. The American spiker, who shares his full name with the famous NBA player, says, “It (the confusion) happens all the time. Last year, there was a lady who would post massages, telling me that her husband is a huge fan of my game. She meant the other one, of course. I clarified saying that I’m also successful in a sport, but I am not quite the same guy. There are others who think that I’m Asian because of my last name, but they are amazed to see this huge white guy. Many think that I’m related to Bruce Lee. I totally get this thing of mistaken identities. I can explain who I am to people.”

Talking about the initiative, he shared that the state of the game is not great in the US either. “In USA, volleyball is not quite on the same level as the NBA. Even after winning gold and bronze medal in Olympics, world league titles and world cup titles, we’re still not there. With the popularity of basketball, soccer and baseball, it’s really hard to break in. Plus, there’s no violence in volleyball. And America loves violence — it’s a sad thing to say! They are big on sports that are high on aggression and violence and that’s where volleyball has some shining light; it’s a non-violent sport. I’m trying to promote non-violence through volleyball.”

David, who visited India for the first time, was all praises for its people and food. “I had no idea what to expect on my first visit. The people here are super nice, and everyone’s been really hospitable. Food’s been good, too. I tried some chicken curries and Biryani and it was all so delicious. I want to try all things spicy because I heard the spices here will knock your socks off. On my future visits, I’d like to see what the whole Bollywood scene is about. I don’t know… is it the Hollywood version of India? So, yes, that’s my plan of action. I don’t know the actors; all I know is that it’s big production with lot of singing and dancing. I can’t wait to explore the magnificence,” he said, signing off.