<![CDATA[A week before the US Open kicked off in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, 3,944 km away in Los Angeles, a police officer from Telangana was hitting aces after aces against some of the best players in his profession at the World Police and Fire Games 2017. Although he couldn't clinch the coveted gold,Bose Kiran Nallamothu, the additional inspector of Dabeerpura Police Station, Hyderabad's South Zone, bagged two bronze medals in the 35 years+ category, driving home the message that there is more to police personnel than just fighting crime. When not cracking cases and chasing criminals, the 35-year-old cop wields a racquet and can be seen volleying on the tennis court at the city's Lal Bahadur Stadium. "It was a very different experience at the Games as some of the best sportspersons from various police departments across the world were participating in it. In the singles category, I won against Hong Kong's Sze Cho Tin and in the doubles, Barajas Hererro Miguel Aigel (a Spaniard) and I defeated an Aussie-US pair," Bose said. He was barely 12 when the tennis fever him and since then, Bose has never missed an opportunity to demonstrate his racquet skills. "Most of the guys I used to practise with went on to play Davis Cup later — Punna Vishal and Susheel Narla, among others," he informs, adding that Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza was a kid when he was ranked India No. 2 in the sub-junior category. "But after I joined the state police force in 2000, I was pressed for time and tennis became more of a hobby. Participation in the yearly All India Police Meet was out question since only DSP ranks and above were eligible to play in that tournament. But I continued taking part in inter-district level tourneys," he says. Bose didn't have to undergo rigorous training for the World Police Games since he plays tennis regularly and had enough game practise. "Tournaments or otherwise, work-out is part of my daily routine. But six months prior to the Games, I started spending more time on the court. I usually trained early in the mornings, since I kept busy with job assignments in the evenings," he said, adding that he had to seek prior permission from the Commissioner of Police before applying for the Games as the selection process is not open like in the case of other sports, essentially team sports. "But I am glad I could make my country and state proud. More importantly, the appreciation I received from seniors at work was really heartwarming. Now my focus is on the World Police and Fire Games in 2019," Bose said.]]>
