PUNE: Anup Kumar was one pep-talk away from becoming an expert commentator but he is happy that his casual meeting with his mentor Sunder Singh, an Arjuna Awardee himself, persuaded him to take up coaching on a serious note.
“This rustic sport of Kabaddi has given me everything in life but after winning everything that was to be won I decided to retire and my plan was to take up commentary for which I was learning the nuances from the Star Sports team,” Puneri Paltan coach Anup Kumar told Sakal Times in an interview.
“But I happen to meet Sunder Singh one day and during the casual talk he suggested I should take to coaching and he being my well-wisher I heeded to his suggestion and here I am,” said Anup during a free-wheeling chat at his team’s training base.
COACHING IS TOUGHER
Anup, who led India to Asian Games gold medal and the memorable triumph in 2016 World Cup against Iran, said being a player was easier while coaching is difficult as entire responsibility of the team depended on him.
“In my new role as a coach I have realised that coaching is difficult, but is a satisfying job and I am happy to have taken this decision and found a good team to coach,” said Anup, who made his international debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Sri Lanka.
There will be always be time for Anup Kumar to try his sense with commentary, especially in the era when expert comments fly thick and fast as these days players try to up their market value post retirement.
“Let me now focus on coaching. Commentary was one aspect that I wanted to do, but I am happy that I am able to give back to the sport which gave me everything,” said Anup as Puneri Paltan team prepares rigorously for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League’s (PKL) Season 7.
Anup Kumar was instrumental in picking up players during the April Auction—Girish Ernak and star raider Nitin Tomar. “Our expectations are high as the team management is very supportive. We have been here at Sunny’s World well away from humdrum of city and have been training as per the plan chalked out,” said Anup Kumar.
The Pune-based team will open their campaign on July 22 in Hyderabad against Haryana Steelers.
