Thomas Mash is known to be a tough taskmaster as he places a really high value on discipline and the importance of integrity and commitment. Jibin ChempolaIdukki lacks good sporting facilities such as a synthetic athletics track, but the district has churned out several prominent and talented athletes over the years, mainly because of the efforts of K P Thomas, popularly known as Thomas Mash, one of the most respected and successful coaches in Kerala’s athletics history.
Thomas Mash, a recipient of the country’s topmost coaching honour - the Dronacharya Award - turned 75 on Sunday, but age does not deter his spirit as he continues to fuel aspirations in youngsters to achieve greater heights.
“Give me the infrastructure, and I will give Olympic medals in return,” he says confidently.
Somebody who believes that actions speak louder than words, Kerala athletics can certainly expect much more from him in the years to come.
Own academy
Currently he is busy training youngsters at the World Malayalee Council Thomas Mash Sports Academy at Vannappuram in Idukki.
An ex-service man, Thomas Mash is known to be a tough taskmaster as he places a really high value on discipline and the importance of integrity and commitment.
He has produced over 1,000 athletes over the years and many of them have consistently won top honours at the national level. Now his ultimate aim is to produce an Olympic medal winner from the academy which was established in 2017.
The academy does not have state-of-the-art training equipment or resources, but it does have a knowledgeable coach to give the trainees proper direction. The best part is he is committed, determined and has that unbridled zeal to spot and groom young talents early. Thomas Mash is sticking to his tried-and-tested formula at the new academy as well. He has a sharp eye to identify the strengths and weaknesses of his wards and knows which event suits an athlete best.
For those looking for proof of his above-mentioned knack, it is he who advised Anju Bobby George, who started off as a sprinter, to switch to long jump. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Guru-shishya relationship
Though his home is adjacent to the academy, he stays with the trainees and have the same food. The reason why aspiring athletes are queuing up to join his academy is this traditional guru-shishya relationship between the trainer and his trainees.
Often, he would ask his wards to remove weeds in the academy’s garden in order to instil the attitudes and traits in their lives that make them responsible. Every Saturday, the students could be seen plowing and watering the agriculture land owned by Thomas Mash.
When the academy faced paucity of funds to provide food to the trainees, Thomas Mash, along with the children’s parents, started growing vegetables on vacant plots surrounding the facility. These organically cultivated greens provide the children with the required nutrients. Their diet also includes chicken, fish, egg, milk, etc.
During his illustrious coaching career spanning close to 40 years, many awards and honours have come his way. But is he satisfied?
“If I have achieved anything as a coach it is only because of the hard work put in by my trainees. Without them I’m nothing. Unfortunately, lack of infrastructure continues to be a major handicap for these children. How can I be happy then?” Mash asks smilingly, but the dejection is palpable in his voice.
Though he could realise the long-cherished dream of setting up his own academy, it functions out of a rented building. Thomas Mash hopes that the authorities concerned would consider his pleas favourably and provide a permanent building for the academy so that he can continue to produce champions.
