C S Poonacha
C S Poonacha (born 18 August 1965) is an Indian Hockey player, recognized internationally. During his school days, he was participating in hockey and cricket as well as in many sport competitions. Eventually he selected hockey alone.
Birth and childhood
Poonacha was born in a small town called Ponnampet in Virajpet taluk, situated in the southern part of Kodagu district in Karnataka, India. He was the first of The Two sons (after three elder sisters) of Sri Subbaiah and Kaveramma of Cheppudira Family.
Education and Training
Poonacha completed his primary, high school and pre-university education in Ponnampet and joined Cauvery College at Gonikoppa, a nearby business town, for his degree course. During his one year stay at this college, Poonacha was regularly winning the first place in 100 and 200 meter sprint race as well as in long jump. He was a very good player in the school and college cricket and hockey teams.
After one year in Cauvery College, he joined Sports Hostel of Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bangalore and got trained in hockey for one year. Till then Poonacha was playing in forward position. During his training in SAI, considering his defense capability and powerful strikes, he was advised to play at the back. Next Poonacha graduated in Arts from St Joseph’s College, Bangalore.
Teams Represented
- Indian University Team
- Indian Hockey Team
- Karnataka State Team
- State Bank of India Team
Achievements as a Player
- 1986 – Represented Indian University Team in Germany tour
- 1989 – Represented Indian Hockey Team and won Silver Medal in the four National Tournaments held in Barcelona (Spain)
- 1990 – Represented Indian Hockey Team in the European tour including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and England.
- 1990 – Represented Indian Hockey Team in the Bangkok Asian Games.
- 1991 - Represented Indian Hockey Team in the Russian Test Series held in Moscow
- 1991 - Represented Indian Hockey Team in the Sultan Azlan Shah International Hockey Tournament held in Ipoh, Malaysia and won gold medal
- 1991 - Represented Indian Hockey Team in the Australia Test Series held in Perth, Australia.
- 1991 - Represented Indian Hockey Team in the pre-Olympics held in Auckland, New Zealand and won Silver Medal.
- 1992 - Represented Indian Hockey Team in the Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.
- 1984 to 1998 – represented Karnataka State Hockey Team.
- 2007 to 2012 – represented in the National Games, National and Southern State tournaments.
- 2003 – Represented in FIH hockey coaching in the Afro-Asian Games held in Hyderabad.
Awards
- 1991 – Mysore Dasara award
- 1992 – Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
- 1993 – Karnataka State Ekalavya Award
Positions Held
Chairman of Sports Club, Kodava Samaja, Vasant Nagar, Bengaluru
Occupation
Manager in State Bank of India
Personal Information
Married to Savitha Ponnappa (nee Kuttanda), International athlete. They have two kids. Poonacha is known for his simplicity, ever-smiling, nature of easily mixing with almost anybody.