TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF BEING A BASKETBALL COACH

What began as PASSION - in my early childhood - has become a WAY OF LIVING LIFE today for me. But the trials and tribulations of being a basketball coach have taken its toll. Indifferent versus dedicated students - successes versus failures - anger at some - smile at some - YOU NAME IT - it was all there. I WON and I LOST. Falling in love again and again - and then trying to LIVE OUT the heart-breaks - a roller coaster ride for a sensitive man who tried play by the rules - but couldn't because the rules stifled his creativity and sensitivities.

SAVANDURGA - MAKALIDURGA - KABBAL DURGA and so many other hillocks were regularly climbed - as if breathing was possible only on hill-tops. The words like ASHATHON - MICRO OLYMPICS - HANDBALL [ASHA STYLE] - and NO DRIBBLE BASKETBALL with 50 children on either side. People thought I WAS A FOOL - the children had their PIED PIPER - and as we played I fell in love with what I was doing - and obsessed with the children who were playing with me. It was a JOURNEY - I wouldn't exchange with any one.

Maybe, one day I will write my detailed auto-biography - till then this small note should do. We were all happy go lucky fellows during those days. No permissions problem - parents just saw the JOY ON THEIR CHILDREN'S FACES - and they didn't have the heart to say NO. One box of puliyogore and curd rice with Rs.10 as bus or train charge - was enough to go for an unbelievable camp. Hundreds upon hundreds wondered and fell in love with what we were doing. Where are we going next -was the question - as we reached the top of a hill. Far away, across the horizons the other hillocks TEASED US - and next week we set off in a new quest. TUMKUR - CHINTAMANI - KANAKAPURA - DODDABALLAPUR and so many other towns became familiar names.

Enivronmental classes in these ECO-COCOONS made a deep impact on many students. And as we saw the vanishing `heavenly spots' - anger came - and a withdrawal began. Trekking was replaced by Basketball. The empty ghostly basketball courts were suddenly crowded. A few people didn't like it. Court after court - we were thrown out. Orphaned - we ventured further and further from home in search of a basketball court. The dream of building a RESIDENTIAL BASKETBALL SCHOOL for people who couldn't afford - was looking so impossible. But every dark cloud has a silver lining. I was being noticed by clubs and schools - and I was invited to become A COACH. The cup of my joy filled up. Now I had a basketball court all to myself - at least, that is what I thought.

The local team didn't like us. We didn't bother - and in a short period - we were beating them hands down. SWORN ENEMIES were born. And as the crowds built up - parents started walking in tow with their young sons and daughters - I WANT MY CHILD TO LEARN BASKETBALL from you. I began a journey which continues to this day. I am so and so - and I want my children to learn the game FROM YOU. This is equivalent to a Ph.D in basketball for me. Life has given me so many knocks - now I have become KNOCK-PROOF. I have my share of `people' who do not like me - and they are justified in doing so - because I have not been exactly a saint. And therein, lies the story of my life - continued PART II -