GUWAHATI: Priyanuz Lahkar is a tennis player turned coach from Guwahati who has represented the state of Assam in various tournaments across the nation. Playing tennis since 3 decades now, he has been ranked state number 1 for 10 years across various different categories and age groups. He had also secured a place in the top 3 for more than 15 years.
Born in Guwahati, Priyanuz did his initial schooling from Air Force School, Jorhat till class 7 before shifting back to Guwahati to continue schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khanapara. He then went on to pursue higher secondary education from Army Public School, Narengi and graduation in B Com (Management) from Gauhati Commerce College.
Belonging to a family where everyone was inclined towards sports, Priyanuz was introduced to the world of sports at a very tender age. His father, Shankar Dutta Lahkar, an ex-Ranji cricketer and former Assam No 1 table tennis player, introduced him to the sport and guided him throughout. While Priyanuz started playing tournaments from the age of 8, he started training formally under ace tennis player Zubin Engineer, only at the age of 14 after which he started playing in the national circuit.
Priyanuz has won more than 40 singles and 50 doubles events in state level tournaments across various categories so far. Ranked India number 5 in Under-14 category in 1996 and India number 9 in Under-16 category in 1998, Priyanuz has remained Assam’s number 1 in Boys’ U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 and Men’s category for many years throughout his career. The player turned coach still continues to play in the Men’s Doubles category in state championships and has won 3 titles in the past 6 months.
He recently participated and won medals at the Anup Lahoty Memorial India Club Open Tennis Championship, Sivasagar Open State Ranking Tennis Championship, Jorhat Open State Ranking Tennis Championship and Guwahati Inter District Tennis Championship.
Priyanuz has been working as a professional tennis coach for 15 years now. He has worked as a coach in various esteemed tennis academies and clubs of Assam, including Digboi Club, Nehru Stadium, North East Tennis Foundation (NETF), Zaloni Club, Kaliyani Club of Numaligarh Refinery Limited and India Club, to name a few.
Currently coaching at the Pulin Das India Club Tennis Academy, Priyanuz has coached and produced some of the finest tennis players from the state. He has produced more than 20 state champions while 10 players have also held ranks in the national circuit.
Currently, five of his players are doing very well in the state as well as national tennis circuit. Some of his ace students are Anchit Tyagi, Ishika Chakma, Arunesh Bora, Tanishqa Patar, Snigdha Patibandala, Ved Aditya Kalita and Siddhant Deka.
“Currently, the sports scenario (particularly tennis scenario) of Assam is pretty good. With the emphasis on sports increasing by the day and infrastructure being developed, sportspersons from Assam have been performing really well nationally,” expressed Priyanuz.
He further told G Plus that there are certain difficulties too that aspiring sportspersons face in the state like lack of sponsorship and academic pressure. He says that parents can play a major role in bringing out the talents in their kids by providing support and the best of care that their children need. “Parents can play a clear-cut role in defining their child’s future – provide them with the best equipments, take care of their diet, do not pressurise them to study all the time and most importantly, send them to participate in as many tournaments and championships as possible,” Priyanuz advises all parents.
A sports enthusiast and traveller by passion, Priyanuz’ interests lie in trekking, mountaineering, angling, watching movies and reading books. On his bucket list is a dream to travel the world some day.
Priyanuz’ message to the young talents of Assam who want to make it big in the field of sports is, “If you want to grow and become a national champion, you have to work really hard. Instead of dedicating all your time and energy focusing on the technical aspects, pay attention to mental and physical workout too. And most importantly, enjoy the game you play.”
