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Struggle was all he knew from a young age
As he walks into the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai with a spring in his steps and interacts with players and officials with the least touch of self-consciousness, people who have known B. Balamurugan would feel particularly heartened. For only they know what life has been to this squash player cum coach cum referee. From a virtual nobody, Balamurugan has risen to rub shoulders with some of the best in business and also be known for his playing abilities and coaching knowledge.
A ball-boy at the Madras Cricket Club (MCC), Balamurugan had never thought of a ‘future’. An uncle of his was instrumental in bringing him into the portals of MCC, basically to see the boy, a little over 13 years then would do something purposeful. Having lost the love of his father when just over 3 years old, the boy’s first impression of home and life was struggle.
“My father decided to move away from us, leaving me, my brother and sister along with mother to fend for ourselves. My mother used to do work of utensil-cleaning to earn something to keep the family together,” he said. So ‘work’ was the word he kept hearing quite early in life. Studies became secondary and whiling away time with children around became a daily routine. In an environment where one could go dangerously astray, Balamurugan considers himself fortunate enough to have become an escapee.
If the entry into MCC helped him reorganize himself, then the opportunities to learn tennis by ‘watching’ the members play proved fruitful and in a way opened a new vista in his mind. Balamurugan found he could grasp things fast.
Moving on to the MCC’s squash courts, he had the task of keeping the arena clean and inviting the members, but the chance to play never came. One of the members would later go on to redefine his life.
Hard work pays off
“I will never forget the good turn (N.) Ramachandran Sir gave me,” he said emphatically, describing the move to the Indian Squash Academy at the turn of the millennium. “Sir advised me to learn squash and improve,” Balamurugan said and he followed it to the hilt. What is more, he was part of the Indian team to the Asian championships in 2002. He remembers being in the company of Manish Chotrani, Ritwik Bhattacharya and Bikram Uberoi as the fourth player.
With the encouragement of Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) consultant coach Major S. Maniam and National Coach Cyrus Poncha, Balamurugan kept improving and soon changed track to take a peep into coaching and refereeing. Lack of basic education did not come in the way for he could understand what was being told and with help always available, he did not look back.
His students are doing pretty well
He showed his mettle as a player by participating in the professional category in the national championships and won 11 national titles. Life had changed. There was purpose now, goals ahead and more than everything, help and facilities to gain new areas of knowledge. An ‘elite coach’ now, who has done Level II in coaching, Balamurugan expresses satisfaction that he had a hand in most players’ progress in the Academy and that includes Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa, Anaka Alankamony, Harinder Pal Sandhu, Kush Kumar..the list could go on.
Squash has indeed given a new meaning to his life. Balamurugan has travelled to several foreign countries as coach. He has found his life partner and is now a father of two daughters. What more does he aspire?
“ Nothing really. Sometimes when I think back, I shudder. Everything could have gone wrong. Today I shoulder a responsibility and I have a qualification which helps me mingle with all. Just because I have become a coach does not make me averse to things I did earlier. If need be, I still clean the courts and do the petty job for the players. For ultimately their success is the reward I get,” he said in all humility.
“My life will go on like this, but I wish to see a world champion emerge from this academy,” he said of his ultimate dream as he signed off to be at his favourite place near the court from where he reads the game and advises his players.
Seeing the young ones around him and listening intently is an inspiring sight.
