Past Innings

Surprise, surprise! I have been tagged by Prithi Shetty - Dew Moon Drop. I liked it because mainly its not going to be that kind of list – 7 things to do, 7 things I cant do n all that. :)
I intend to keep it the way prithi had kept. It also helps me to pause for a moment and reflect on my past innings. So here it is.

10 Years Ago

oh…those were the high school times. I was in 8th standard and had fittingly acquired the sobriquet of slogger. A boy with hardly any natural intelligence but solely relying on hard work to be amongst the toppers in the class. There was some great rivalry and the sportsmen to the core we were, we dint used to give an inch. So my name used to pop up amongst the toppers, be it sports or academics. Suddenly, from a nowhere in 7th standard, I came in the limelight.

Also this was the time when I was introduced to cross country running, courtesy our fine sports teacher. Long distance running teaches one many things in life which seem to be simple but difficult to practice – perseverance, hard work, ability to absorb pain. And that’s what I liked about cross country – the results don’t come in a flash. One has to go through the grind, overcome the steep hills and sometimes you have to do it alone. We were a bunch of runners who used to cycle to the hills in the early mornings and then go through our jogging drills. That was sheer bliss. I vividly recollect those green hills and can feel the fresh morning air.

Accomplishments were to follow, pune district champions in kho-kho, langadi (unfourtunately, there wasn’t much scope for other sports in my school :( ) and dozens of certificates.

5 Years Ago

1st year Engineernig. Never ever could pursue my dream of sports due to the circumstances prevalent then, which are pretty common in my country. So what you do? Take up a course which will assure you of a so-called ‘settled’ life. So the only motive in life for the time being – keep a first class throughout and get yourself a well-paid job – which is exactly what I did though I did goof up in my 3rd year. Oh yeah….and had my share of infatuations too. :)

1 Year Ago

Was slogging my ass out to have a serious chance to bell the CAT – Common Admission Test – for a coveted seat in IIMs. But it was a bit late. It always was going to be a case of so near yet so far and that’s how it turned out to be. No regrets though. I accepted my mistakes and revised my lessons. In hindsight, it was good because getting there would have hardly helped me achieve my ultimate objective.

Yesterday

Packing my bags for a trip to pune – almost my native place. Called up a fellow related to sports but the phone just kept ringing with no response. :( I do need a break to be alone with myself and a long long nap to freshen up my mind. The last few days haven’t been quite rosy and everyday I keep trudging along showing patience that my time will come.

I hand over the baton to

• Laks
• Shub
• Pills
• Meghana

***
One important update on Indian football. Zee sports has acquired Indian football telecasting rights for the next ten years for some 500 crores Rs. I do hope this goes a long way in improving our standing in the international football arena.