From Maoist-hit Dantewada to U Mumba Volley - Deepesh Sinha’s tryst with volleyball

When one talks about Dantewada, the first picture to pop up in mind is the image of a Maoist holding a gun standing in the jungles. Such has been the reputation of this district of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. A state which has not produced a host of famous sportspersons in the past is considered as a part of the Red Corridor in India. However, within the sound of guns, there are people who have concentrated on the sports they love and have excelled on the field as well. 

Sinha is one such rare talent who has put Chhattisgarh on the sporting map of the country. After proving his worth in the Indian senior volleyball team as a dependable blocker, Sinha has now taken up the responsibility of being the captain of U Mumba Volley in the brand new Pro Volleyball that started on Saturday in Kochi. The 28-year-old blocker was picked up by the Mumbai-based franchise for a whopping nine lakh rupees in the auction for the inaugural season of the league. 

“This is the first time that a league for volleyball has started and this will make the sport and the players popular all over India. I am feeling proud to get selected for U Mumba and my family members were also delighted after they heard the news right after the auctions,” Sinha told SportsCafe in an exclusive interaction. 

Born in Jagdalpur, where his father used to work in Chhattisgarh Police, Sinha took up volleyball as a career only in 2008 during his 12th standard days in Dantewada. However, at that young age, he didn’t have anyone from his district to look up to as far as professional sports is concerned. He got an important chance to join the academy in Bhilai under the coaching of Surendra Pal Singh where he grew into a professional volleyball player with the inspiration from the only international player from the state till then – Ashish Arora. 

“When I started playing, I didn’t have a proper idea about coaching and all. I went near Surendra Pal Singh at the academy in Bhilai for formal training and there I met former international player Ashish (Arora) ji. He had represented the country back then and was a regular visitor at the academy.  I wanted to become like him and he has been my role model since then. He also guides me even now as he is working in the police department as a DSP,” explained Sinha, who is currently a sub-inspector in Chhattisgarh Police. 

Things did take a great turn in his career during the Junior Nationals in 2009. It was being held in Karnataka and Sinha was representing his home state Chhattisgarh when Dronacharya Awardee coach GE Sridharan spotted the young talent and offered him to join his academy in Coimbatore. The very next year, the blocker got selected in the Indian junior team for the first time as he played the 2010 Youth Asian Championship. Since then, he has never looked back in his career and represented India at the senior level starting from 2015 Asian Championships till the 2018 Asian Games which was held last year. 

“I was playing in the 2009 Junior National Championship in Karnataka and GE Sridharan sir was there during our matches. He had asked me to join his academy and get proper coaching. The hostel and college facilities were there as well and I got a chance to continue my education as well. It was a good learning curve for me under Sir (GE Sridharan) and in a proper professional set up,” informed Sinha. 

“With the tricolour on my chest and the Indian national anthem before the start of the game, I was thrilled to represent my country for the first time; I was delighted when India won that match back in 2015 against Oman in the Asian Championship in Iran.”

Sinha has never faced any resistance from his parents while taking up volleyball professionally. With his mother also being a national level sportswoman (basketball player), Sinha said that he was already encouraged by his mother to go ahead with the sport. According to the six feet six-inch tall blocker, his height has been an advantage for the team. 

“Height advantage is an important factor. As the net is of eight feet, six feet four inch is the proper height for a volleyball player. There is no need to jump more for taller players and that is the biggest advantage because the players need to move right after landing following a jump,” opined Sinha.

“I play as a blocker and that is where my height becomes an advantage for any team that I play in. According to me, a blocker should be sharp minded and must be aware of the match situations at each and every second in a match.”

Sinha is leading the U Mumba team in the ongoing tournament, which started on a poor note by losing its first game against Kochi Blue Spikers. Speaking about the league, he said, “I am sure that this league will be a huge boost for the sport. It will be a proper competitive league for all the players and we as players need to ensure a good fitness level and maintain a proper diet as well. With the increase in competition, I think the Indian players will go to practice regularly and this will ensure a brighter future for many beginners in India. The involvement of foreign players will also be a huge positive for the youngsters from India.” 

After taking his home team Chhattisgarh to the playoffs of the Senior National Volleyball Championships last month, he is eager to perform for the Mumbai team. With the responsibility of being the captain, he is now having a different challenge in the league. 

“U Mumba is a well-known franchise with their football and kabaddi teams. They have been doing well in other sports so there will be some pressure on us to perform as per the reputation of the franchise,” said Sinha.

“As I said earlier that my role as a blocker is important for the team. I have played with almost everyone in our team. Former international coach Pritam Chauhan is at the helm and this tournament is my first assignment under him.”

After cementing his place in the Indian team, Sinha has a dream to see the Indian side participating in the Olympics in near future. He is of the opinion that the league will be a big positive step in this direction by the volleyball federation in India. 

“Only top eight teams play in the Olympics and I have a dream of India going into the Games and bag a medal in near future. Pro Volleyball can be a big change in this direction. Our game will be transformed with the start of the league as it involves many foreign players from the top eight teams of the world,” Sinha concluded. 

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