Sampath N, 55 years old is an inspirational Basketball Coach in Chennai that every baller dreams to play in his team. He works as Senior Superintendent at State Express Transport Corporation Chennai. Promoting sports among girl children is his passion. His level of contribution towards Basketball and its players is high. He produced more than 250 National players, 10 International players, and more than 300 University players.
Basketball has been the most important part of Sampath’s life since childhood. Sampath N, the sixth son of Nagan and Indhirani became passionate about Basketball because of his elder brother Kasi Paulraj. Sampath did his schooling in St.Joseph’s, Chengalpattu. He started playing for BlueStar Basketball Club in Chengalpattu under the guidance of Mr. Kalyanasundaram, NIS Coach. In 1987, Sampath was appointed as the junior assistant at Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation.
He started coaching in Lady Sivasamy Ayyar girls’ higher secondary school in Mylapore. Rani, 54 years old, his wife is also a Basketball player and works as a physical education teacher in the same school. Thus he started his coaching journey by every morning and evening on the school ground. Armed with all his knowledge and experience, he started Risingstar Basketball Club in 1996.
To provide junior players with the opportunity to play, he started another club named Physiocare. Senior players are studying at M.O.P. Vaishnav College For Women, Nungambakkam. N Sampath and Rani are the guiding force behind the Rising Star. Rising Star not only identifies talented players, but also guides them physically and financially to the top of the ladder. Many from its stables have found a place in the State and national teams.
MOP Vaishnav is a top outfit at the collegiate level, since he started coaching. Dr. Lalitha Balakrishnan and Lakshmi Prasad has been encouraging sports in all aspects. Full scholarships were awarded and given to sporting talents with outstanding sports track record. Scholarships included education, hostel facility, food, coaching and access to campus placements from top companies in the world.
“While MOP Vaishnav players selected for representing Madras University, Dr. V. Mahadevan, Director of Physical Education, University of Madras has been the constant support and encouraging players to crown South Zone and All India basketball tournament”, says Sampath in a conversation with Kehyo.
Tamil Nadu Basketball Association has often been given the opportunity to coach for Tamil Nadu National teams because of his commitment to coaching and basketball. Late K N Ramajayam, Mr. Dyneshwaran, Mr. Satyan, and Mr. Arjun from TNBA greatly contributed to the game.
His players are currently working in Southern Railways, South Central Railways, Police Departments, MNCs, and so on.
Anitha Pauldurai, The Indian women’s basketball player who has been awarded the Padma Shri is a student of N Sampath. Started by her school coach Sampath, Anitha made her name playing for the club and was noticed by the national team scouts. Representing Southern Railways and Tamil Nadu, she has also won more than 30 medals at the national championships. Anitha, ever since making her debut in 2001 for the Indian team, quickly became a mainstay and captained the country at the tender age of 19. In doing so, she became the youngest ever to captain India’s senior Basketball team.
Rising Star has collaborated with Arise Basketball Club and JASA (Jayalakshmi Sports Academy) to guide young kids in the right way. His perseverance, commitment, and broad outlook are the result of producing these outstanding talents.