Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) are hoping to blaze a trail at the Asian men’s club volleyball championship, to be held at Shanghai from June 30 to July 8. ONGC will be India’s flag bearers at the premier continental event and they want to make their participation count.

ONGC coach R. Kamaraj said his team is not going to the business capital of China to make up the numbers. “We will board the flight on Tuesday night with the intention of coming back with a medal.

My players will not only be playing for ONGC; they will also be representing Indian volleyball,” he added.

Kamaraj said a stellar performance at Shanghai would boost the sport in India. “I’m delighted and proud that ONGC are among the 17 top clubs in Asia. I have drilled into my players’ mind that everybody should talk about India after the championship.

We have to showcase India’s potential to the continent. I’m confident that we will come back with our reputation enhanced,” he added.

According to Kamaraj, club volleyball has a fantastic future. “China, Japan and Iran have lucrative leagues. Club competitions are getting bigger and better each season. If we do well at the Asian championship, we will get a chance to play in the world league,” he said.

ONGC are in a relatively easier group, as they have been clubbed with teams from Kuwait, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. If they top their pool, they will meet a second placed team from China’s group in the quarterfinals.

“It is critical that we emerge victorious in our group to avoid a Chinese club in the last eight. From the semifinal stage we have our task cut out. But we will not go down without a fight,” Kamaraj, one of the brightest young coaches in the country, said.

ONGC won the national club championship in Chennai last year with a sparkling performance. The Dehradun-based team hardly put a foot wrong in the whole tournament.

They swept aside IOB in straight sets in the final to lay down a marker at the national level. ONGC’s spirit, more than their game, impressed observers and Kamaraj said his team is hungry for more.

“Motivation is crucial. I have been telling my players that they have a golden opportunity to become pioneers. The players are excited because ONGC are playing the Asian championship for the first time,” Kamaraj said.

The core of the team that triumphed in Chennai is available for the Shanghai trip. Mandeep Singh will shoulder the scoring responsibilities as universal.

Attacker Lalit Kumar is in fine touch. “Our setter Ranjit Singh has matured into a dependable player. Blockers Subba Rao is a seasoned campaigner. We have a settled team with an excellent bench,” Kamaraj said.

Attacker Gurchand Singh has been named captain. Even though the sardar isn’t firing on all cylinders these days, Kamaraj has given the mantle of leading the team to the experienced international. “Gurchand’s contribution will be vital in defence.

His first pass is always steady. More importantly, he is a fighter. He will give his last ounce of energy for the team’s cause. Gurchand relishes the burden of leadership. I hope captaincy will bring out his best,” the coach added.

Young blocker Lavmeet Kataria is the ace up ONGC’s sleeve. Lavmeet took the inaugural IVL by storm last year and pundits have marked him out for greater achievements. “Lavmeet’s potential is beyond doubt. We had some problems regarding his travel to Shanghai because he is not employed with us.

When I broached this matter to Kals Group chairman and Chennai Spikers owner S. Vasudevan, he readily agreed to foot all the bills of Lavmeet including airfare and accommodation. I’m thankful to Mr Vasudevan and IOB player J. Natarajan who facilitated a meeting with the Spikers boss,” Kamaraj said.

Kamaraj, who was declared the best setter at the 2003 world youth championship where India bagged a historic silver medal, said the ONGC management has extended its total co-operation to the team’s Shanghai trip. “ONGC imported a couple of match balls to ensure that we prepared professionally.

Our request for a camp in an indoor stadium was also readily accepted. We trained intensively at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai for 10 days and played a few practice matches.

I should say we have prepared well for the challenge ahead. We are leaving with high hopes and great expectations,” he added.