Sport - Basketball

Neenumol: an exciting prospect

Neenumol

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: She may not be as boisterous as some of her teammates and peers, but on the basketball court, P.S. Neenumol is a livewire and prefers to let her game do the talking.

Adjudged the best player in the recently-concluded State Youth championship at Kannur, she played a pivotal role in the host district’s triumph in the championship.

Neenu literally stole the limelight from more accomplished State players like Stephy Nixon and Smruthymol and was a revelation with her jump shots.

The judging committee had no hesitation in naming her for the K.S. Naidu cash award after her match-winning performances in the semifinal and final.

It is Neenu’s cool demeanour and all-round game along with her maturity that has impressed the basketball aficionados and has made her a star to watch for in future.

National referee K.O. Oommen, who has watched Neenu from close quarters, is lavish in his praise.

“Neenu is one of those rare players in the State to take the jump shots. She has an excellent all-round game and is intelligent. She has it in her to make it big,” he says.

The Kerala State Sports Council Coach, Jose Philip, says Neenu is a complete player and has good dribbling and shooting skills. “She is tall and excels in both defence and attack. She has a bright future ahead of her provided she remains focused,” he says.

Eldest of the three daughters of Sacria, a small-time farmer from Wayand, Neenumol took up this sport seriously when her talent was spotted by Mathew, the physical education teacher of St. Thomas HSS, Mulamkanni.

“If not for my father’s unflinching support I would not have become a basketball player. He always encouraged me and was supportive when I had to move out from my home town to Kottayam to join the Sports Hostel,” she says.

After learning the basics of the game from Mathew, Neenu moved to the Sports Hostel attached to the Little Flower GHS, Pulinkunnam, to further her career.

Neenu left her mark in her maiden National mini championships in Chhattisgarh and was picked for the National camp. After finishing her 10th standard, Neenu joined SAI Centre at Thalassery where her game has grown in stature.

The inevitable comparison with Geethu Anna Jose often arises and it is something which Neenumol has to deal with in the coming years.

Oommen says both of them play a similar game. “The similarity in style is striking, but Geethu was taller and had that advantage on court,” he says.

Though Neetu has never seen Geethu play, she wants to emulate Geethu and hopefully do even better.

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