PKL Season 10: 'Fazel Atracheli's hunger to do well is infectious, inspiring,' says Gujarat Giants Coach Ram Mehar Singh

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Ram Mehar Singh - the head coach of Gujarat Giants in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 10 - needs no introduction. The two-time Asian Games (1998 and 2002) gold medallist and an Arjuna Awardee has been a part of the Indian kabaddi ecosystem for over two decades.

The Haryana-based coach has been associated with PKL since its inception and witnessed the transition of the rustic game from mud to mat which gradually emerged as one of the most lucrative franchise-based leagues in the country.

Having successfully guided Patna Pirates to three successive seasons and the man behind the stellar growth of Pardeep Narwal in the league, Singh has now been entrusted with the responsibility of coaching Adani Sportsline-backed Gujarat Giants.

He took over as the coach of the Ahmedabad-based franchise in the previous season. Fans and the owners hoped for a better season from the team, formerly known as Gujarat Fortunegiants. The team made it to the PKL Season 5 and 6 finals but finished runners-up after losing to Patna Pirates and Bengaluru Bulls respectively.

PKL Season 10: Gujarat Giants Ready For The Challenge

Despite a challenging previous season where the team finished eighth, Singh expresses optimism and determination to improve in PKL Season 10. In an interview with MyKhel, Singh discussed the team's preparations, highlighting the positive blend of youth and experience in the squad after the PKL Auction.

He acknowledged the presence of captain Fazel Atracheli, a legendary and highly experienced Iranian defender, and the promising young talent in vice-captain Rohit Gulia.

Asked if he was happy with the kind of players the team has after the PKL Auction, the coach said, "You see, you never get all the players you want at the auction. But we are happy with the kind of squad we have now. There is a good blend of youth and experience and that makes us a very strong team."

"In Fazel Atrachali we have a legend of the game who will also be leading the franchise in PKL Season 10, in Rohit Gulia - whom we have appointed the vice-captain - we have a promising young talent. Vikash Jaglan, Rohit Kumar, Mohammad Nabibakhsh, Prateek Dahiya are all proven match-winners and they will do well for us," he added.

Fazel Atrachali: A Legend of Kabaddi - Coach Ram Mehar Singh

Singh emphasized Atracheli's influence on and off the mat, praising his leadership qualities and commitment to mentoring younger players. He described Atracheli as a legend who leads by example and remains determined to help Gujarat Giants secure their maiden PKL trophy.

He said, "Fazel is a legend of the game and he loves to lead the team by example. He doesn't shy away from helping his teammates, he always tries to mentor youngsters. This quality is what makes him a good player and an even better human being.

"I don't have to explain to him what to do and what not on the mat. That he understands pretty well as he has been a part of PKL since the start. My job will be to ensure he's in a good frame of mind both on and off the mat and he stays positive in his approach."

"He looks determined to give his best and help Gujarat Giants lift their maiden PKL trophy this season. If there's some advice needed to improve his game, I'll give my feedback to him. The good thing about him is that he still has that hunger and desire to get better.

"His work ethic and dedication to being the best in the business are infectious and should be an inspiration for young kabaddi players. With the kind of fitness he possesses, he can play for many years," he added further.

Highlighting the role of a coach when a player is dealing with an injury, Singh, drawing from his experience of coaching the Indian national side, stressed the crucial role of a coach in keeping players mentally motivated could be challenging at times. However, he believes positive words can contribute to players overcoming adverse situations and improving their recovery.

He said, "The role of a coach becomes very crucial whenever there is an injury to a player whether he's playing or on the bench. Kabaddi is a very demanding contact sport and injuries are part of a kabaddi player's life. Even the best in the business are not immune to it, so when an injury happens, it is my responsibility to keep that player motivated.

"Positive words help the players overcome such adverse situations and improve their recovery because even the body responds positively towards the warmth and affection."

However, when it comes to being a tough taskmaster, Ram Mehar Singh is known for calling a spade a spade. He has been instrumental in the success of Pardeep Narwal - one of the best raiders the league has ever produced - during his stint as the coach of Patna Pirates. Interestingly, Fazel was the captain of Gujarat in 2017 when they lost the final to Patna, who were coached by Singh.

He even wanted to get Pardeep during the PKL 9 Auction to add yet another chapter to their partnership. Even Pardeep expressed his desire to reunite with his former mentor before the Season 9 Auction but Gujarat lost the bidding war to UP and the reunion didn't materialise.

Singh's deep understanding of the game and players positions him as a skilled coach. He's ready to instill professionalism and belief in the Gujarat Giants squad to win the tournament this time around.