Volleyball is a sport stuffed with gigantic gamers whose common peak is six toes and 7 inches. Invariably, the shorter gamers stay under-appreciated. Generally, it’s the attackers and blockers who obtain all the eye, accolades and rewards.
Of the six gamers in a staff, there’s one with a totally different jersey color than the remainder of his teammates, and he/ she is referred as libero, who’s the second line of defence towards the attackers of the opposition.
Their key roles are receiving serve, digging assaults, and making passes from the second row to arrange the staff’s offence.
However in India, liberos have remained within the shadows and haven’t been given due credit score.
Ok. Anand, the libero of Delhi Toofans within the lately concluded Prime Volleyball League (PVL) in Chennai, has been an exception to the rule. Toofans misplaced to Calicut Heroes within the last. In truth, it was a nice efficiency on condition that it was the staff’s debut within the PVL.
The 21-year-old from Kerala has been a game-changer with his exceptional digs. His acts of leaping excessive and celebrating a level made the gang concerned with the sport. To put it quick, he was the livewire of Toofans.
In truth, after seeing one in all his diving photographs and of Anand’s on twitter, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes wrote: “At least you (Anand) managed to get into the same frame as the ball — I need to work on my reach!”
Ok. Sai Prakash, CEO, Toofans, lavished reward on Anand. “He has been the darling of our team and the crowd when it comes to performances. He is the only libero in this edition so far to be given the Game-changer of the Match Award. He creates a lot of energy in the team and remains a great asset. I hope to see him as truly an International professional. With PVL gaining popularity, I hope Anand realises one of his dreams of becoming a professional who can play in foreign leagues. I hope the Indian sports system helps him in his quest.”
THE GIST
Liberos are typically agile, athletic and alert, and in accordance with Anand, they want braveness to showcase their expertise
Anand’s dream is to interrupt into the Indian senior staff
After seeing one in all his diving photographs and of Anand’s on twitter, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes wrote: “At least you (Anand) managed to get into the identical body because the ball — I must work on my attain!
Born within the volleyball-crazy Kannur, Anand began in Class VIII, when he performed with seniors. It was in Thrissur that his function of turning into a libero was established. His coach Shivakumar modified his place from that of a setter/ attacker to libero when he was in Class XI and there was no wanting again. At the SAI Centre in Kozhikode, Anand’s journey as a correct volleyballer started.
He represented the Kerala sub-junior, junior and senior groups within the National Championships. Anand strongly believes the game has probably not acknowledged the function of liberos however it’s slowly altering with the appearance of PVL.
“Liberos are not valued enough because they are not getting points. But in modern volleyball, we have many important roles like reception and defence. When an opponent serves — going all out while doing it — it becomes difficult to receive the ball. Liberos do it. That’s one of the main points of defence. PVL is changing the perception of libero,” he mentioned.
Liberos are typically agile, athletic and alert, and in accordance with Anand, they want braveness to showcase their expertise. “We need courage to dig the balls, The mindset is important. We need courage to save the team. If the ball is going far from us, we need the courage to dive,” he mentioned.
His celebration of leaping excessive and pumping his fist when his staff wins a level is a delight to look at. Anand mentioned it’s his model and he celebrates it in the identical manner when he or his staff wins a level.
“I do it if anyone from my team wins a point. I just need to celebrate. In my mind, I always think I have to take my point and you need to celebrate every point,” mentioned Anand, a large fan of French libero Jenia Grebennikov.
Learning from foreigners
This is his third season within the PVL. Having featured within the earlier two editions for Hyderabad Black Hawks, Anand is revelling in his function for Toofans. He mentioned he has learnt a lot from the foreigners within the league.
“The league has helped me become a professional as the foreigners have taught me many things, especially, Lazar Dodic (Serbia) and Daniel Aponza (Colombia). They tell me how to ‘dig’ and the art of movements.”
Anand emphasised that there’s a lot of distinction between the taking part in types of India and Europe. In overseas leagues, attackers have energy and precision whereas the liberos’ defence is top-class, which forces one to be at his finest on a regular basis.
“However, we need to change many things to get better and PVL is the right step in that direction,” mentioned Anand.
It’s not simply the followers and Toofans teammates who’ve appreciated Anand. Mumbai Metors’ libero Hector Mata of Venezuela is all reward for the teen.
“Hector said I am doing good and have all the qualities to play in foreign leagues. That means a lot coming from a foreigner of a rival club,” mentioned Anand.
He, nonetheless, has an unfinished dream. “I want to be in the National senior team. That’s my dream. I was in the National camp last year but was not selected and I hope to be named in the coming years,” he mentioned.
