Sepak takraw coach Dhanraj Koyalkar struggles with kidney failure

Veteran sepak takraw coach Dhanraj Koyalkar, who trained several international players, is battling multiple organ failure in a Hyderabad hospital. His trainees are raising funds for treatment as appeals for government help await response from sports authorities

Hyderabad: At 55, Dhanraj Koyalkar, the sepak takraw coach who produced many internationals including A Tarangini, R Navatha and N Madhu, is now staring at an uncertain future, not sure of even raising funds to get treated for a kidney ailment.

Dhanraj, who is bedridden in a private hospital in the city since Dussehra this year, has been a mentor, guide and father figure to many who went on to win medals at national and international levels. His dedication, discipline and passion for sepak takraw have inspired generations, his close associates said.

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Koyalkar, despite close to 25 years of coaching at the LB Stadium and the Telangana State Sports School (Hakimpet), has been struggling to make both ends meet on the financial front because of chronic kidney issues for the last 18 months. His plight might well reflect the fate of many contract coaches in the Sports Authority of Telangana too.

With doctors diagnosing him with multiple organ failure, the family’s concern (one son and a daughter too young for any job) can be easily understood.

“Despite our collective efforts, the medical expenses have already crossed Rs 7 lakhs and his condition now requires continued ICU care, ventilator support and advanced treatment, estimated at Rs 25 lakhs,” some of his trainees, who are pooling funds, informed Telangana Today.

When approached by the family members, Telangana Sports Minister V Srihari was “kind enough” to write a letter to the sports administrators to “examine and consider sympathetically” any financial assistance to meet the medical expenses.

But they are still awaiting a positive response and desperately hoping for some kind of help for the ailing Dhanraj.

Fate, as they say, can be cruel. For someone who shaped the destiny of many young talents in the State, Dhanraj is not sure how the future will unfold in this most critical phase of his life.