Paranthas,felicitations and a hero’s welcome for Asiad gold-medallist

Sanam was equally excited,with a sense of nostalgia sweeping across his mind. “Things have changed a lot. I am back home after May 2008. How much I missed my mom and the food which she cooked for me. I had been away from her for two-and-half years only; it was very hard for me and I always wanted to reach back to her,” says the delighted 22-year-old.

It wasn’t just motherly love which he missed after shifting his base to University of Virginia,USA,in 2007. He had to battle the death of his father,Kanwai Krishan Singh,and injuries. But armed with a positive outlook,he came back to be a part of the Indian Davis Cup team and won the title of the Most Outstanding Player of 2009 in US Collegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) national team indoor championships.

“I have changed as a person. I have made a lot of friends back in America and the way I think and act has changed accordingly. But I am happy with the way my game has improved. I have built my strength,I am quicker on feet now and the power in my shots have also developed,” Sanam,a final-year student of International Affairs,said.

It will be a dreamcoming of sorts when Sanam visits the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) Stadium on December 21,where he spent his formative years,watching his seniors in awe. “All through my under-14 and under-14 years,I watched my seniors like Sunil Kumar,Sunil Sapeiya,Amanjot Singh and others and I always wanted to reach their level. I left CLTA as a junior player and it is a very proud moment for me to return to the same place and being honoured by them,” said Sanam,who will be honoured by CLTA on December 2.

The player,who originally hails from Jakhoda village in Jhajjar district of Haryana,will also be honoured by the Haryana Government in Panchkula on December 22.

After he left CLTA in 2003,he joined the National Tennis Academy and finally went to America on a scholarship. And armed now with the Asiad gold,he is ready to live his dreams.

“I want to improve my singles ranking as I was out of action due to injury and then I could not play pro-tournaments due to college. After passing out from the college in May next year,I will concentrate solely on pro-tournaments. I am working hard on my singles game and I want to break in Top 100. My friend Somdev has been able to do it but I know how much hard work and dedication he has put in and I will willing to do that. Doubles is an added bonus and I will keep playing in doubles also. I am looking for sponsors right now so that my dreams get a push,” said player who was once ranked as high as No 4 in the ITF junior rankings.

Sanam looks to start the coming year on a winning note in the Chennai Open starting in January 2011. “I was drafted into the Davis Cup and though I didn’t play,it was an overwhelming feeling to be part of the Indian team. And then the Asian Games happened,the biggest tournament of my life. It feels good when young players come to and say how I am an inspiration for them. Those dreams are finally coming true.”