Inspiration within By Drushti Gothi, XI B

Inspiration within

By Drushti Gothi, XI B

The excitement, the anticipation and the thrill of the audience is an advantage as well as a disadvantage for a true sportsperson. Any sport is a true test of physical fitness and presence of mind. This is what I got to know when I met my sports coach, 56 years old, Mr. Rajeev Marathe sir. I frankly did not expect much but was shocked myself after getting to know so much about him.

To begin with, Sir belongs to a Brahmin family. Born in Goa, brought up in Pune since last 55 years. Having no sports background in his family, developing interest in sports was gradual. During his school days, he got selected in “Langdi team” for his school. Seeing such a great performance, speed and strategy, his coach selected him in the most popular sport of those times “Kho Kho.” It was not easy for him to play or participate in the matches due to lack of financial support but strong emotional support got him through. For him Kho Kho wasn’t a career objective but instead it turned out to be the support for his career.

He got a job as a clerk in a bank due to his whole hearted devotion to the sport. Reaching this particular level in sport was not at all easy, but he wish to follow the footsteps of his role model Mr. Srirang Inamadar, made him cross all the barriers. As it is said – ‘once a sportsperson, always a sportsperson’. Having no bad habits, gaining more social responsibility, good health and increase in contacts, Sports gave him recognition which enhanced his confidence. Today it’s been 35 years that Sir is into coaching. He wishes that more and more individuals get into sports. An extremely important part of being a sportsperson is maintaining good health. For him, maintaining health was just daily practice and a healthy diet. Adjusting under any circumstances, is what he learnt from his sports life.

As an acknowledgement to his dedication, Sir has got Chatrapati Award as a player in 1984 & Utkrushta Margadarshak Puraskar as a coach in 2015.

I, along with all his students from schools like Navamaharashtra Sangha, NMV, Kanyashala, Ahilyadevi, Ramanbaug, owe our passion for sports to an ideal Sports coach, our most respected Srirang Inamdar Sir!!