Background score

His partner Jwala is out-spoken,friendly and fun-loving. She took on Badminton Association of India’s officials when she was asked to attend a training camp over going abroad to play a tournament. Off late,Jwala has been a regular feature in gossip columns of newspapers,but for reasons not concerning her sport. In sharp contrast,Diju is an out of focus blur when action photographs of India’s top mixed-doubles pair are published. He is an anti-thesis of Jwala; a soft-spoken introvert. Diju is only seen when the pair wins titles. Else,he never makes the headlines.

It is rather difficult to get Diju to talk at length about anything. Even when he talks about his mixed doubles partner (someone he knows rather well) he is careful not to take the limelight away from her. “It is no surprise that Jwala is a bigger star than me. She is definitely star material,” he says. Diju is happy just being himself. “Even in my hometown,Jwala is more popular than me. I guess if some people do recognise me it is because I happen to play doubles with Jwala. People instantly recognise Jwala,I can’t say the same about myself.”

Does Diju,at times,wish he got more of the spotlight? Even the most famous newspaper cuttings of the man is hidden behind his more popular partner. Diju gets the hint. “If you are wondering why I am always in the background when pictures of me and Jwala are published,it has more to do with the mixed doubles strategy. The male player often occupies the back of the court to pick and return smashes,” Diju says,adding,“But Jwala is also more photogenic than I,” he says in a lighter vein.

Their on-court chemistry is excellent. The left-right combination can upset the rhythm of their opponents. “Jwala is very positive and that helps me too. Even from the back she is strong so I don’t always have to worry. Plus,she is also very crafty at the net. The left-right combination is a definite advantage for us. I haven’t thought of playing with any other partner other than Jwala,” Diju said.

A quarter-final finish at World Championships in Paris should hold the world’s 13th best pair in good stead for glory at the Commonwealth Games. Only the English combination of Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork are ranked above them. While a medal is almost certain for Diju and Jwala,gold and ultimate recognition could be a tad difficult,especially as the Malayasian pair of Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh (ranked 20th) have a better head-to-head record.

Diju though,has never craved for recognition. One endearing memory his school mates have about Diju is about this shy boy who used to distribute sweets after returning victorious from junior badminton tournaments. Ask them if he had interests outside badminton,any shenanigans of note,and they invariably draw a blank.

Almost nothing has changed since nearly two decades ago,when Diju first picked up a racquet on a mud court near his house. If not for his mother,Diju would have become an athlete,swimmer or a basketball player. When he was 11,Diju went for a SAI selection trials in Thrissur. “Our mother was rather protective of Diju so she didn’t want him to take up any sport which she considered could be harmful to him. He was an active child and was full of energy. Often,he would be seen hanging upside down from a tree. I remember that he started swimming even before he could walk,” Diju’s elder brother,Valiyaveetil Dinu says. “My mother decided against initiating him into swimming because she felt he would fall sick,and she didn’t want to make him a track and field athlete as she feared he would get injured. Badminton seemed the safest choice,” Dinu said.

Diju is a trend-setter in the sense that he is the first professional athlete in the Valiyaveetil family. His father is a merchant,while Dinu is a bank officer. Yet,there is nothing outstanding about his brother’s character that Dinu can recall,only his prominent laid back attitude. “He is most comfortable when he comes back home and spends time with his childhood friends. He is not someone who chases fame or tries to increase his popularity. He is rather happy in his own world. There is a general perception in our family that something always goes wrong just when he is about to fulfill his potential. But things have changed a lot since he started pairing up with Jwala,” Dinu said.

It was Hadi Sugianto,the Indonesian-born doubles coach,who convinced Diju that he would be better off playing with Jwala,after closely studying their playing styles. This was six years ago. In their first international tournament,the Jakarta International Series,they won the title. “When I was asked to team up with Jwala,I didn’t think twice. There was never any doubt that we would become one of the top mixed-doubles pairs in the world.”

Despite all their camaraderie on court,the personalities of Diju and Jwala make them like chalk and cheese. “We are good friends but we don’t hang out together too much.”

Does that fact that most Diju interveiws centre around Jwala irritate him? “My friends tease me saying ‘how do you focus on the game when you play alongside such a beautiful girl.’ People are more interested in her than about my game. But then again,people will always watch me play,even if it is for her.” Today,like all the days in the past six years,Diju is happy to let Jwala lead the orchestra,while he quietly forms the background score.