Advantage agility at Trivandrum Tennis Club

Thiruvananthapuram: A healthy body is the crux of a sound life, so believes tennis player K Krishna Pillai. With incredible fitness level, the 81-year-old retired engineer has definitely proved that age is just a number.

Seventy-eight-year-old retired teacher Thomas Mathew gives company to Krishna Pillai, on tennis court. V Radhakrishnan, 78, the former professor of IIT Madras, is also in the seniors team that regularly features at the Trivandrum Tennis Club. The trio who often go to play for various clubs are now competing at the Trivandrum Premier Tennis League which is currently on at the Club. Once they set their foot on courts, all of them would exude unbelievable energy level, giving the youth a run for the money.

For the 15 odd players of the Club in the 60-plus category, tennis is not just any game but a way of life. Their agility is testimony to the fact that constant exercise and disciplined life are sure to keep diseases at bay.

Fitness ball on your court

With excellent courts and meticulous approach, the Tennis Club is the favourite hunting ground for its long-standing members. Though tennis does not have much of a fan-following base like cricket or football, it is an ideal discipline to stay fit, says Tennis Club secretary Anilkumar Pandala.

“The club has been the initial turf for several renowned stars, including Sania Mirza. But many promising players had to quit in the long run due to lack of encouragement,” he said.

Prominent players such as Shankar Krishnaswamy and M S Krishnakumar are members of the club that gives coaching to as many as 300 students in the age group of 8 to 18 years. The institute also gives training to talented children from financially weak background.

68 players are vying for honours at the ongoing nine-day Premier League championship at the Trivandrum Tennis Club. The final will be held on January 20.