Commonwealth Games 2022: Treesa Jolly’s father on daughter’s formative days – I sold gold and borrowed money

Treesa Jolly’s father, Jolly Mathew, said that the badminton star had to practice in rainy weather to prepare for major tournaments. Treesa had every reason to cheer at the Commonwealth Games 2022, which ended on Monday, August 8. The 19-year-old won the silver medal in the mixed team event and the bronze medal in doubles.

Treesa’s journey began from her courtyard at his house in Pulingome, a village in Kannur, where she trained with her father, her first coach. Her father left a job as a physical education teacher in a school to travel with his daughter for tournaments.

“There was no badminton court or facilities in the village when Treesa started participating in the district under-11 category. She was just seven. In the next few years, she won medals in the State and national championships. But for winning major tournaments, she required facilities to practice, especially when it rained,” Mr. Mathew was quoted as saying.

Treesa’s father said that due to badminton being an expensive sport, both of them had to go through a lot of physical and financial turmoil. He also expressed gratitude to Treesa’s teacher for helping her grow in her career.

“I decided to construct an indoor court in the courtyard of our house. I sold gold and borrowed money from friends for this. It is an expensive game. The cost of equipment and travel took a toll on us both physically and financially. She had no sponsors then,” he stated.

“I invested everything in her game, but her progress would not have been possible without the support of Anil Ramachandran, head of the Physical Education and Sports Science Department of the university, who took her under his fold while she was 13. He gave her free coaching and facilities,” Mr. Mathew added.

Two years ago, Treesa Jolly also joined the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, where the decision to shift her from singles to doubles was taken.

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