The Keeper

After my last long post, I felt a lil void. Perhaps it was also because my Mom stayed with me the longest this time and then she left. The void continued into another week when J was traveling and with new formed routines with N. Will talk about that in some other post.. 

Today there was an image that I came across and I was hooked to it. 

It was a picture of a 'Keeper' .. A young..charming and full of grit girl posing as a 'Keeper' in the game of Roller Hockey.

I didn't know her when I saw the pic for the first time.. Never knew what inevitable role the person plays who wears that gear.. But amongst all the images that N's Skating Coach sent on the parent group - this one struck out to be the most powerful one!

See for yourself! 

(PC - The beautiful and bright girl -Aastha & Sonia's Photography)

What I felt .. 

Her gear took most of the frame... still you can see her shining through! She knows she is being clicked, but she doesn't have to pose! Heck, she doesn't even have to smile! Still she has a content appearance in the click. I felt its one of those candid shots a sports person can give. She knows her game and loves it. Feels so close to it, at times perhaps hates it too (She said that herself in her blog 😅) But this game has got her the confidence that clearly reflects in the picture and otherwise. Her determination not only for the game, but also for life is built because of the ups and downs that she saw through while coming to the point of becoming a 'Keeper'! 

Why am I so stuck with her and the picture ..you will ask.. Its the feeling of happiness I got when I realized that young girls around me are getting the opportunity to play it big too. Yes I have read about Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu and all..Am proud of them too. But to see a young and vivacious city-based teenager enjoying a sport and also learning from it gives me umpteen satisfaction. 

Something that I never ever experienced. Whatever the reason being - we were never encouraged to play any sport leave alone compete in or conquer levels. Even if Mom wanted us to learn, decisions had to be taken as a member of a joint family and not just go ahead and do it. Even if those hurdles were crossed - when girls went out to play a sport it always used to be treated as a hobby. Coaches and school PE instructors didn't used to take us seriously. No matter how much we could kick a** in a game. Even if it was Kabaddi. :-( Its a shame. Don't know how many talented sports persons each city lost due to lack of encouragement or proper training. 

But today it is a different story. I myself personally know of trainers who are un-biased about the gender and only see the Sports Person. They train them alike.. Respect them for their gender uniqueness and try to bring out the best where they see a spark! Abhijeet Chaudhari of Speed Wheels Skating Club is one such trainers. 

Even though N only went for the Beginners class for few months - he gave her enough chances to build long-lasting interest in the sport. She has taken her lessons out of the sport which might reflect as she grows up....I saw girls as young as 6 going to the Advance batch in a matter of few months. A lot can be said about the training as well as building interest in the respective sport. 

Another one that I have known is Deepak Verma of D's Academy He not only imparts Volleyball training but also helps coach students on a personal level as well.. making them better human beings too! In today's time if we get a teacher who teaches life lessons along with favourite sport - half battle is won already!

I cannot run back in time and learn those sports that I wanted to.. But I can help my daughter to learn different sports and pick one or two eventually. To pursue it as a hobby or career will depend on her choice.. 

I know these days its very important for parents to enroll their off-springs in different classes. But please choose wisely. 

Pick what your child likes.. Stick to what they are interested in... 

Help them pursue their goals... 

Let them loose and learn... 

Let them win and boost their confidence. 

There is a whole lot of unique and humble learning from Sports too! 

Sharing the above mentioned Keeper's heart felt post with you all. See how much of a better person she was able to become due to the sport! I learnt so much more about the sport by reading her vivid thoughts on it...

Keeper's Thoughts

I admire not only her but give a round of applause to her parents too! 'Cos if not for them she wouldn't have been able to see the setbacks as learnings and change of roles as perspectives! 

Kudos to all of you who have introduced Sports and have inculcated in your child(ren)'s life!! 

For all the instructors and coaches whose mission is to develop extra-ordinary sports persons (read sports girls) Keep Up the Phenomenal work! Our country needs you all! 

Disclaimer - This post is not at all an Ad post for any academy or institute. I have personally known/seen them work and train and hence wanted to applaud their efforts.