The call has come from JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, YENIGADALE. The children want SUMPOORNA to come and help them learn basketball. I remember the last visit - I WAS MOBBED BY THE STUDENTS [specially GIRLS]. When are you coming - was the chant. I want to get mobbed again - JOIN ME IN A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A COACH WITHOUT BORDERS.
AND in this quest 12 selected children will join me to help sustain the new `love' for basketball that more than two hundred JNVites have developed. A pot-holed road leads to Yenigadale, so remote is the place that few venture here. BUT THERE IS A BASKETBALL COURT HERE - not one BUT TWO. Sumpoorna has travelled to all those who have called - so pick up your phone and dial 98860 20145.
From 2nd July to 4th July, the ball will bounce in JNV, Yenigadale from 7am to 7pm - and my heart will pound louder and louder. I LOVE CHILDREN - I LOVE BASKETBALL; and the only way I want to live for the rest of my life is combining these two. My own communion with God takes place when I play the game - as I hope my students will too one day get a SIMILAR JOY.
Sometimes I surprise myself. I had planned on going to SUMPOORNA and stay alone for a period of two months to rejuvenate myself. IT WAS JULY AND AUGUST - and here comes this invitation for 2nd to 4th July. Whenever there is a call for Basketball learning by children - I shall be there - MY DESTINY IS IN THEIR HANDS.
I have often been asked WHAT IS IT ABOUT BASKETBALL that you like. My answer is very simple - IT IS THE PRAYER OF MY LIFE - IT IS MY EXPRESSION OF JOY - IT IS THE WAY TO FACE THE WORLD. It is a weapon given by God to me - it is my Brahma-Astra.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
SHE RUNS LIKE A GAZELLE - HIS SHOOTING IS MAGIC - SABAL HAS ARRIVED!
I have been subliminally conscious of the fact that sometimes we do not expect the desired results - as a matter of fact, we SURPASS OUR EXPECTATIONS. I have merely set out to give joy to children who want to play and learn basketball. But the by-products of what I am doing is SCREAMING IN MY FACE. The girl who could hardly run - RUNS LIKE A GAZELLE NOW - the boy at whom you wouldn't look twice is SHOOTING BASKETS FROM ALL OVER. And suddenly the realization dawns on me - THESE ARE NO ORDINARY CHILDREN - but even more starkly that we are no more playing basketball - WE ARE LIVING A WAY OF LIFE!
And as these two climb the ladders of success, their associates in the S.A.B.A.L programme are breathing down their necks. The changes I notice are satisfying - yet at the same time leave me shaking my head in despair. WHY DO NOT THE OTHERS UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A SPORTSMAN? This is the best way to ensure ENDURANCE, DISCIPLINE AND JOY for their whole life. The relationships these children develop are so healthy - the emotional sharing and caring they have for each other is so extra-ordinary YET THIS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD ONLY IF YOU ARE A FULL TIME SPORTS PERSON. Am I right?
As an examiner I am already giving them 101% - what does it matter what percentage they get in their academics. THEY ALREADY KNOW THE JOY OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE!
Is it not the duty of any educational system to provide an equal balance between mind and body. THE WOMB OF FUTURE IS IMPREGNATED WITH GREAT POSSIBILITIES - driving thousands and thousands of kilometers I want to reach out to the remotest of the hamlets and villages - where MY GAZELLES and MAGIC SHOOTERS are waiting for me to put up the hoop so that they can shoot! So that they can make their lay-ups, three pointers, drive-ins, screen and rolls, jump shots AND MAYBE A DUNK! So that they can put up poster of MICHAEL JORDAN or MAGIC JHONSON in their rooms and WALK TALL! Why should they be denied the fundamental right enshrined in the UNICEF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN article 7/3 which says The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right
A healthy and joyful childhood is the foundation on which we can produce great citizens. The denial could lead to psychological manifestations which are very harmful to the society. As India re-builds its educational system - it is imperative to provide professional sports coaching - and stop giving merely lip sympathy. The future generations must be given their due and merely producing academic freaks isn't the answer. If you are a parent, a teacher or a concerned citizen - remember this, your ignorance is no reason to deny the child his joy and health. I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - MY GAZELLE AND MAGIC SHOOTER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - INDIA WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU.
And as these two climb the ladders of success, their associates in the S.A.B.A.L programme are breathing down their necks. The changes I notice are satisfying - yet at the same time leave me shaking my head in despair. WHY DO NOT THE OTHERS UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A SPORTSMAN? This is the best way to ensure ENDURANCE, DISCIPLINE AND JOY for their whole life. The relationships these children develop are so healthy - the emotional sharing and caring they have for each other is so extra-ordinary YET THIS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD ONLY IF YOU ARE A FULL TIME SPORTS PERSON. Am I right?
As an examiner I am already giving them 101% - what does it matter what percentage they get in their academics. THEY ALREADY KNOW THE JOY OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE!
Is it not the duty of any educational system to provide an equal balance between mind and body. THE WOMB OF FUTURE IS IMPREGNATED WITH GREAT POSSIBILITIES - driving thousands and thousands of kilometers I want to reach out to the remotest of the hamlets and villages - where MY GAZELLES and MAGIC SHOOTERS are waiting for me to put up the hoop so that they can shoot! So that they can make their lay-ups, three pointers, drive-ins, screen and rolls, jump shots AND MAYBE A DUNK! So that they can put up poster of MICHAEL JORDAN or MAGIC JHONSON in their rooms and WALK TALL! Why should they be denied the fundamental right enshrined in the UNICEF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN article 7/3 which says The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right
A healthy and joyful childhood is the foundation on which we can produce great citizens. The denial could lead to psychological manifestations which are very harmful to the society. As India re-builds its educational system - it is imperative to provide professional sports coaching - and stop giving merely lip sympathy. The future generations must be given their due and merely producing academic freaks isn't the answer. If you are a parent, a teacher or a concerned citizen - remember this, your ignorance is no reason to deny the child his joy and health. I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - MY GAZELLE AND MAGIC SHOOTER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU - INDIA WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU.
Friday, June 11, 2010
THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 - WHITHER INDIA?
As the extravaganza of the World Cup unravels before our eyes - a sad thought strikes me - WHEN WILL INDIA QUALIFY for such type of tournaments. A nation that has the potential to become a leader is involved in petty squabbles of its officials and federations - power hungry individuals are more worried about `enjoying the fruits' than promoting the game. The blame also lies with the players, the society in which they live and a mindset that is most unsportsmanlike.
Almost 30 years back, when I saw Olympics on TV - I was enjoying the emotions of the winning athletes - and then it struck me - NOT A SINGLE INDIAN winning any medal. Tears had come to my eyes and I as an innocent Indian got involved in sports with a single minded focus of helping the smaller children start off their sports education in a proper way. That I have been able to put many of them on the joyful track of playing sports - is a satisfying thought.
TEARS CAME TO MY EYES as I watched the world cup on TV. But I am much more matured now. I know the reasons why we are unable to qualify for the world cup. It requires a nation to respect its players - it requires our clubs to promote more grass root tournaments - it requires the senior players to go and help school students to learn the basics and enjoy the game. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD PLAYERS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE READY TO GIVE BACK TO THE GAME - but very very few actually do it.
It doesn't take much to make a resolve and follow it through for 30 years. I have been doing it - YOU TOO CAN! AND IF YOU DON'T - TEARS WILL FLOW THROUGH MY EYES and those of other sports lovers who believe INDIA CAN! Will you?
Almost 30 years back, when I saw Olympics on TV - I was enjoying the emotions of the winning athletes - and then it struck me - NOT A SINGLE INDIAN winning any medal. Tears had come to my eyes and I as an innocent Indian got involved in sports with a single minded focus of helping the smaller children start off their sports education in a proper way. That I have been able to put many of them on the joyful track of playing sports - is a satisfying thought.
TEARS CAME TO MY EYES as I watched the world cup on TV. But I am much more matured now. I know the reasons why we are unable to qualify for the world cup. It requires a nation to respect its players - it requires our clubs to promote more grass root tournaments - it requires the senior players to go and help school students to learn the basics and enjoy the game. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD PLAYERS TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE READY TO GIVE BACK TO THE GAME - but very very few actually do it.
It doesn't take much to make a resolve and follow it through for 30 years. I have been doing it - YOU TOO CAN! AND IF YOU DON'T - TEARS WILL FLOW THROUGH MY EYES and those of other sports lovers who believe INDIA CAN! Will you?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
RAISING THE HOOPS - FOR RISING HOPES
Five years back when PROJECT SUMPOORNA - to promote basketball in Tumkur [read rural areas] started - there wasn't much of activity. But suddenly in the last one year, things are happening. A couple of hoops have been raised [basketball courts] but with the rising hopes these would not be enough. More and more children want to play basketball. AND THEY WANT TO LEARN THE GAME!
The crowds at SUMPOORNA are a testimony to this. The whole of last year was HOUSE FULL. We have begun the work to make additional TWO COURTS. But the future is going to be much larger than a few basketball courts. An opportunity exists for basketball promoters like never before. AND THIS KNOWLEDGE CAME TO US - because we are always looking to discover HOOPS in odd places.
When we were invited as AMBASSADORS OF BASKETBALL by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yenigadale [Chintamani - 100 Kms from Bangalore] - we suddenly realised the potential of HARDLY BEING USED BASKETBALL COURTS. After that we offered our services to JNV Doddaballapur [40 Km from Bangalore] and Urdigere [70 Kms from Bangalore] - and we were welcomed royally. In 3 day camps - battle lines for tournaments were drawn up. LEARNING BECAME SUPERSONIC - and passions were raised. Children who had never touched the ball - wanted to shoot 3 pointers - wanted to dunk and wanted to ---- do all those things that CRAZY BASKETBALL PLAYERS DO! Their hopes had been raised and now nothing shall stop them from playing basketball.
AND NOW Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is constructing new residential schools for girls in extremely remote areas - I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY which won't come again. We [SUMPOORNA and NBA] can catalyse this momentum - the pieces are in place. I suggest we use JNV COURTS [which every district has] as the starting places where the children of KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYAS can initially be trained. After a 5 day training programme [ in which JNV CHILDREN too can join in] - A HOOP IS RAISED IN THEIR SCHOOL.
AS the programme gets under way, we can then train FIVE STUDENTS from each school at SUMPOORNA campus for learning how to play matches. And then can begin the inter-school which should raise THE HOPES of every school. These five students also become the flag bearers of a basketball revolution never seen before. Support can be provided wherever necessary and a shoe-string budget can raise HOOPS made of local materials.
INDIA can adopt an innovative method of sports promotion. The one thousand crores plus that we will spend on Commonwealth games cannot create such a movement. It would need missionary basketball soldiers to lead - and SUMPOORNA is in the process of creating at least ONE THOUSAND AMBASSADORS of basketball this year. YOU TOO ARE INVITED. I shall raise your hopes as I raise the hoops.
Almost one year back, I had met two representatives of NBA in the office of Director, SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA, BANGALORE and they were worried that not enough infra-structure [INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS] was in place. And even what was available - was not proper. I think to expect India to put in place similar infrastructure as in USA would be impossible. Let us accept what we have - clay courts, RCC courts and whatsoever - even these are not used. Let us first bring the crowds to these existing courts - and that is possible when children in schools are motivated to play the game.
When I put two wooden shooting boards onto two cement posts [NOBODY KNEW WHY THESE WERE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE] - a basketball movement began in KORATAGERE [100 Kms from Bangalore]. Hundreds gathered for the training camps. I travelled every week for the next three months to embed the virus of basketball in them. It takes only so much - the gruelling driving that I did during those days are MY GOLDEN MEMORIES.
If a challenge comes again to serve the `children of my nation' and serve `the game of basketball' I shall drive even longer distances with a smile on my lips.
The crowds at SUMPOORNA are a testimony to this. The whole of last year was HOUSE FULL. We have begun the work to make additional TWO COURTS. But the future is going to be much larger than a few basketball courts. An opportunity exists for basketball promoters like never before. AND THIS KNOWLEDGE CAME TO US - because we are always looking to discover HOOPS in odd places.
When we were invited as AMBASSADORS OF BASKETBALL by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yenigadale [Chintamani - 100 Kms from Bangalore] - we suddenly realised the potential of HARDLY BEING USED BASKETBALL COURTS. After that we offered our services to JNV Doddaballapur [40 Km from Bangalore] and Urdigere [70 Kms from Bangalore] - and we were welcomed royally. In 3 day camps - battle lines for tournaments were drawn up. LEARNING BECAME SUPERSONIC - and passions were raised. Children who had never touched the ball - wanted to shoot 3 pointers - wanted to dunk and wanted to ---- do all those things that CRAZY BASKETBALL PLAYERS DO! Their hopes had been raised and now nothing shall stop them from playing basketball.
AND NOW Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is constructing new residential schools for girls in extremely remote areas - I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY which won't come again. We [SUMPOORNA and NBA] can catalyse this momentum - the pieces are in place. I suggest we use JNV COURTS [which every district has] as the starting places where the children of KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYAS can initially be trained. After a 5 day training programme [ in which JNV CHILDREN too can join in] - A HOOP IS RAISED IN THEIR SCHOOL.
AS the programme gets under way, we can then train FIVE STUDENTS from each school at SUMPOORNA campus for learning how to play matches. And then can begin the inter-school which should raise THE HOPES of every school. These five students also become the flag bearers of a basketball revolution never seen before. Support can be provided wherever necessary and a shoe-string budget can raise HOOPS made of local materials.
INDIA can adopt an innovative method of sports promotion. The one thousand crores plus that we will spend on Commonwealth games cannot create such a movement. It would need missionary basketball soldiers to lead - and SUMPOORNA is in the process of creating at least ONE THOUSAND AMBASSADORS of basketball this year. YOU TOO ARE INVITED. I shall raise your hopes as I raise the hoops.
Almost one year back, I had met two representatives of NBA in the office of Director, SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA, BANGALORE and they were worried that not enough infra-structure [INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS] was in place. And even what was available - was not proper. I think to expect India to put in place similar infrastructure as in USA would be impossible. Let us accept what we have - clay courts, RCC courts and whatsoever - even these are not used. Let us first bring the crowds to these existing courts - and that is possible when children in schools are motivated to play the game.
When I put two wooden shooting boards onto two cement posts [NOBODY KNEW WHY THESE WERE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE] - a basketball movement began in KORATAGERE [100 Kms from Bangalore]. Hundreds gathered for the training camps. I travelled every week for the next three months to embed the virus of basketball in them. It takes only so much - the gruelling driving that I did during those days are MY GOLDEN MEMORIES.
If a challenge comes again to serve the `children of my nation' and serve `the game of basketball' I shall drive even longer distances with a smile on my lips.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT!
Today, our children are unhealthy, have hidden diseases and injuries - which come to the forefront as soon as they enter their middle ages. The quality of life they lead is very very bad. AND IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF MIDDLE CLASS TABOOS - which rule the roost. Every child is expected to become an Engineer, Doctor or etc. etc. The only health sought is financial health - unfortunately, even that is drained by their poor health. THE PLAYGROUND IS FOR FREAKS - normal children are supposed to study and `burn the midnight oil' to get ninety plus percent marks. The golden periods of developing healthy bodies and minds is lost in the pursuit of `money'. SPORTS CULTURE doesn't exist - is not allowed to exist! A nation of coolies - CYBER COOLIES to be precise that doesn't even have the shame to accept the fact that INDIAN SPORTS has a noose around its neck. The parents, the school managements, the sports associations and the players continue to pull at it!
PARENTS are the creatures of a social system - they will accept whatever the environment around them is. Creating the environment - in which sports is held in high esteem isn't difficult. Special privileges are to be provided to the SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS - who doesn't want to wear the HOUSE OR SCHOOL colours. And when the parents see their wards `lighted up faces' - they then are easier to educate! A sports counsellor [OH MY GOD - DON'T START CALLING YOUR P.T. TEACHER THAT!] could be a `player' or a highly motivated sports promoter who could then work with players and their parents - and maybe go a step further by interacting with the academic teachers too! I have donned the role of sports counsellor in many schools and it is exciting to see parents willing to provide permissions and facilities to their children - after having attended my sessions.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT too have a very hazy idea of how to develop `sports education' in their schools. They think by paying a very nominal salary to a person who has done his diplomas or graduations in physical education their TASK IS OVER! Their myopic time table is the culprit which has histories and chemistries all over the day and a measly one period sneaked around lunch is the SPORTS PERIOD [this too very grudgingly allotted to fulfill the school norms. AND WHEN I LAND UP IN THEIR PLAYGROUNDS demanding the last two periods of EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK for practice - they almost faint! No, Mr. Mahajan, it is not possible! I ask them to try it out for one month - and after one month they start seeing the possibilities - the joy on the faces of the children, more parents coming to the school to ask about `team selection'. A blue-print to make India a sports giant needs school managements to stand on their toes!
SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS must take the maximum blame. The greed of being in `power' is so much that most of the officials are political animals [like many other things in our country] and it is very difficult for others to interact with them - with the result that many ex-players become full time politicians. It is not SPORTS that they are interested in - it is the GAMES that they play! The mockery of hobli level, taluk level, district level, state level and national level is seen to be believed. 99% of these matches are only for `cosmetic purpose' - completion of which is like a piligrimage to holy places. The unholy nexus of referees, officials, PT teachers has us believe that the `winners' in these levels are the best that India can produce. So what, if most of the players are friends or relatives of some politicians. Many tournaments are conducted with the sole purpose of getting some `benefits' and it brings the ugliness of Indian sports to the forth. I have seen too many - and now I don't go to any. So what is the solution!
CREATE YOUR OWN TOURNAMENTS without any bias. Bring forth the real players - create in them the discipline to excel and develop their skills on a life-time basis. Create `love of the game' without expecting jobs in Banks, Railways or other public sector outfits. Whatever small level it may be - take the first step - the students will enjoy these matches. Having seen the `suffering of my players' at the hands of `fixed' referees I refused to accept their methods. I have never been part of their system - I still refuse to - the bonus is that many coaches pick my players to win matches! The funniest thing is - EVEN MY TEN YEAR OLD can tell now when the referee is not being FAIR!
TAKING PIONEERING STEPS IS VERY HAZARDOUS - everyone gave up on me - I survived a five year wilderness `in coaching' - but now that I am back - I AM BACK with a motive. I have A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT and to that end I shall strive till my last breath!
PARENTS are the creatures of a social system - they will accept whatever the environment around them is. Creating the environment - in which sports is held in high esteem isn't difficult. Special privileges are to be provided to the SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS - who doesn't want to wear the HOUSE OR SCHOOL colours. And when the parents see their wards `lighted up faces' - they then are easier to educate! A sports counsellor [OH MY GOD - DON'T START CALLING YOUR P.T. TEACHER THAT!] could be a `player' or a highly motivated sports promoter who could then work with players and their parents - and maybe go a step further by interacting with the academic teachers too! I have donned the role of sports counsellor in many schools and it is exciting to see parents willing to provide permissions and facilities to their children - after having attended my sessions.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT too have a very hazy idea of how to develop `sports education' in their schools. They think by paying a very nominal salary to a person who has done his diplomas or graduations in physical education their TASK IS OVER! Their myopic time table is the culprit which has histories and chemistries all over the day and a measly one period sneaked around lunch is the SPORTS PERIOD [this too very grudgingly allotted to fulfill the school norms. AND WHEN I LAND UP IN THEIR PLAYGROUNDS demanding the last two periods of EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK for practice - they almost faint! No, Mr. Mahajan, it is not possible! I ask them to try it out for one month - and after one month they start seeing the possibilities - the joy on the faces of the children, more parents coming to the school to ask about `team selection'. A blue-print to make India a sports giant needs school managements to stand on their toes!
SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS must take the maximum blame. The greed of being in `power' is so much that most of the officials are political animals [like many other things in our country] and it is very difficult for others to interact with them - with the result that many ex-players become full time politicians. It is not SPORTS that they are interested in - it is the GAMES that they play! The mockery of hobli level, taluk level, district level, state level and national level is seen to be believed. 99% of these matches are only for `cosmetic purpose' - completion of which is like a piligrimage to holy places. The unholy nexus of referees, officials, PT teachers has us believe that the `winners' in these levels are the best that India can produce. So what, if most of the players are friends or relatives of some politicians. Many tournaments are conducted with the sole purpose of getting some `benefits' and it brings the ugliness of Indian sports to the forth. I have seen too many - and now I don't go to any. So what is the solution!
CREATE YOUR OWN TOURNAMENTS without any bias. Bring forth the real players - create in them the discipline to excel and develop their skills on a life-time basis. Create `love of the game' without expecting jobs in Banks, Railways or other public sector outfits. Whatever small level it may be - take the first step - the students will enjoy these matches. Having seen the `suffering of my players' at the hands of `fixed' referees I refused to accept their methods. I have never been part of their system - I still refuse to - the bonus is that many coaches pick my players to win matches! The funniest thing is - EVEN MY TEN YEAR OLD can tell now when the referee is not being FAIR!
TAKING PIONEERING STEPS IS VERY HAZARDOUS - everyone gave up on me - I survived a five year wilderness `in coaching' - but now that I am back - I AM BACK with a motive. I have A BLUE-PRINT TO MAKE INDIA A SPORTS GIANT and to that end I shall strive till my last breath!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC!
Why am I so confident on the basketball court? Who gives me this feeling that I am the lord here. Touched and blessed by thousands of my students - sometimes I weave magic on the court - spectators stop breathing, the opponents just hang up their hands by their sides. IT HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN!
Some senior players were playing when I realized they were playing TWO on THREE. I volunteered to square up the number THREE on THREE. The game went well, the opposition too played very well. Then something happened - I got a steal that went out of play while touching the opposition player. He argued he hadn't touched - WE KNEW HE WAS LYING. I let it go and settled down for the game to continue.
But I do not why I did what I did. I took a three pointer which was good. And the madness began. I gave the check ball and shot another three pointer. I started to realize I was being selfish. But my mind refused my suggestions - I gave another check ball and shot another three pointer. THREE IN A ROW - stupendous. But by then my mind refused to obey me - IT KEPT TELLING - don't be selfish - pass the ball.
But it refused and in went the FOURTH three pointer. Followed by the fifth three pointer. Opposition just died away.
It was just another day. But as I washed up and sat in front of my PC - the words came out DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC.
Some senior players were playing when I realized they were playing TWO on THREE. I volunteered to square up the number THREE on THREE. The game went well, the opposition too played very well. Then something happened - I got a steal that went out of play while touching the opposition player. He argued he hadn't touched - WE KNEW HE WAS LYING. I let it go and settled down for the game to continue.
But I do not why I did what I did. I took a three pointer which was good. And the madness began. I gave the check ball and shot another three pointer. I started to realize I was being selfish. But my mind refused my suggestions - I gave another check ball and shot another three pointer. THREE IN A ROW - stupendous. But by then my mind refused to obey me - IT KEPT TELLING - don't be selfish - pass the ball.
But it refused and in went the FOURTH three pointer. Followed by the fifth three pointer. Opposition just died away.
It was just another day. But as I washed up and sat in front of my PC - the words came out DON'T MEDDLE WITH ME - I CAN STILL WEAVE MAGIC.
Friday, May 7, 2010
FUTURE OF INDIAN SPORTS PERSONS!
Some 15-20 years back, as I took my students for morning sports - I came across a few basketball players who had played for the state at junior level. They had `chosen' sports over academics and as they grew up - they felt that they had been short changed. They weren't able to get into the state team at senior level for `various reasons' and they didn't have a job that could support them.
I was moved by their plight. I approached couple of schools suggesting that they employ them as part time basketball coaches. My persuasive skills and sincerity in purpose helped many of these young players get jobs - which eased their economic pressures to some extent. There were small teething problems which I took care of. My own son went on to coach three schools at the same time and had a fat purse even as he was doing his graduation. IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION!
Today, some of them have shifted to other jobs - while some have continued to prosper as basketball coaches. It was a delight to be able to break the `strangle hold' of qualified and established coaches who never looked beyond their nose and often sat in ivory towers. I had to pay a price for this - I willingly did. A.B.L.E. Academy for Basketball learning and Education - became a bench-mark for many schools. ABLE coaches were respected for their quality and `child friendly' attitudes.
That I was able to help these young basketball players at a most critical phase in their life - I still enjoy the after-glow of their success. They were my sons of basketball - I MISS ALL OF THEM! A.B.L.E. CUP - the marathon basketball tournament was conducted by them in an exemplary way - never to be repeated again. The best talent of UNDER-13 WAS AT DISPLAY - only merit nothing else mattered. That is another story!
As I build S.A.B.A.L - I am thrilled at the opportunity to SERVE THE CAUSE OF BASKETBALL for my country. I have more resources, more stronger resolve and best wishes and blessings of my friends here in India and abroad - especially great friends who are following my `actions' WITH DEEP INTEREST!
I TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING A GOLDEN FUTURE OF THE S.A.B.A.L players - so help me Veer Hanuman!
I was moved by their plight. I approached couple of schools suggesting that they employ them as part time basketball coaches. My persuasive skills and sincerity in purpose helped many of these young players get jobs - which eased their economic pressures to some extent. There were small teething problems which I took care of. My own son went on to coach three schools at the same time and had a fat purse even as he was doing his graduation. IT WAS A WIN-WIN SITUATION!
Today, some of them have shifted to other jobs - while some have continued to prosper as basketball coaches. It was a delight to be able to break the `strangle hold' of qualified and established coaches who never looked beyond their nose and often sat in ivory towers. I had to pay a price for this - I willingly did. A.B.L.E. Academy for Basketball learning and Education - became a bench-mark for many schools. ABLE coaches were respected for their quality and `child friendly' attitudes.
That I was able to help these young basketball players at a most critical phase in their life - I still enjoy the after-glow of their success. They were my sons of basketball - I MISS ALL OF THEM! A.B.L.E. CUP - the marathon basketball tournament was conducted by them in an exemplary way - never to be repeated again. The best talent of UNDER-13 WAS AT DISPLAY - only merit nothing else mattered. That is another story!
As I build S.A.B.A.L - I am thrilled at the opportunity to SERVE THE CAUSE OF BASKETBALL for my country. I have more resources, more stronger resolve and best wishes and blessings of my friends here in India and abroad - especially great friends who are following my `actions' WITH DEEP INTEREST!
I TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING A GOLDEN FUTURE OF THE S.A.B.A.L players - so help me Veer Hanuman!
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