This was his first appearance this year in a state ranking tournament. He has not been able to prepare well, and he knows pretty well that there are much better players coming there but his enthusiasm to participate in the event made me think twice and allow him to take break from his studies and go for it.
Unfortunately he was cut by only two days (based on his date of birth) to play Under 17 matches. Initially his name was there on the list, but then later they went by a date strictly and he was out of that league. So it left him only two choices : Under 19 and Men's category.
The organizers definitely did not have a very well organized schedule and enough man power but then as I understood its just the association of people who are interested in TT who takes care of all. The government does give them some benefit, but at the end, its mostly their personal interest which drives them to arrange these events. That made me understand how much they love this sport - they sacrifice their personal interest to spend time, money and effort just for this pleasure of kids.
He did win his first matches in both category , and was very happy for that. The reason being, his opponents were seasoned players who practice daily and were underestimating him. After he secured well in his 10th board exam, he decided to go for an integrated coaching where most of his time is spent in studies. But at the same time he did not want to quit playing TT, because he loves it. His teachers have tried to convince me many times to stop his sports for couple of years - if he has to get into IITs or any premier institute he has to work very hard as the competition is very tough in general category. And they advise him to spend very little time for only fitness ( max 20 - 30 mins) and focus more on studies. But being a sportsman myself, I know the immense benefit of sports which is probably more valuable than studies, isn't it ?
Sports teaches you to fight against all odds, be patient ( especially when we loose), and then prepare better to strike next time. And then most importantly adjust to situations when it comes to food or comfort and then focus on your goal to win. You won't believe, for the first time in his life he slept on floor (without even a paper) - when he came and told me that, I could relate it to my childhood. Sports is the best entertainment that will keep one engaged with good thoughts. If you ever played then I am sure you know these feelings - that never let us go in any wrong path. Isn't charter building more important than studies and achievement ?
At the end, if they become a good human being, that's all will matter. You can get into premier institutes, you can earn a lot, but at the end, it all comes down to your happiness.
Spending two days out there for more than 10 hrs, eating whatever they got , adjusting what came in front of them and still not complaining and rather showing that happy face of achievement - boy you are going in the right track. I don't want you to quit sports at all, let there be some compromise in studies. Watch out the video to see his excitements.
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