Former basketball coach turns author

Aadhav Arjuna (third from left) releasing the book ‘The Game of Basketball: Origin and Transformation’. Others from L: M. Sathiyaseelan, Fr. Joseph Antony Jacob SJ, president, Sports and Games, Loyola College and Fr. Kamal SJ, former Rector of Loyola. Nearly two decades after his retirement, the aura and domineering presence of M. Sathiyaseelan, former Physical Education Director of Loyola College (1974-2005) still lingers.When the 78-year-old recently released his two books — The Game of Basketball: Origin and Transformation and Inhale the Fragrance of Sports, in English and Tamil — sportspersons he had recruited at Loyola, well-wishers, physical education directors of other colleges and old friends turned up in large numbers to see their former coach.Chief guest Aadhav Arjuna, Minister for Public Works and Sports Development, described the book as a “much-needed one in today’s world.”“For someone who hailed from Pattiveeranpatti, a town panchayat in Dindigul district, and went on to become the physical education director of a reputed institution, his journey is inspiring. He breathed basketball, and his life is an inspiration,” said Aadhav, who described the book as a chronicle of Sathiyaseelan’s long journey in sports.M. V. Rajasekhar, a reputed athletics coach, said the book Inhale the Fragrance of Sports was “a testament to a lifetime of service and leadership in sporting brilliance.” The book captured “decades of invaluable lessons, historic victories and profound philosophies that shaped generations.”V. P. Dhanpal, certified IBA (world basketball body) spoke glowingly about the book The Game of Basketball: Origin and Transformation.Sathiyaseelan thanked the Loyola management for its support. “Basketball was my parent, and I adopted my students as my own,” he said. Rev. Fr. Joseph Antony Jacob SJ, President, Sports and Games, Loyola College, was also present. Published - August 29, 2026 11:11 pm IST