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Soccer
Twist - The review <read the preview> || <see the pictures> Reports
& Pictures by IndianFootball.Com Mumbai correspondent The evening of 19th March was, a tremendous success, on all fronts and probably more. The organisers and their associates, could not have hoped for a better exposure of their message. And the biggest beneficiary in all of this, was none more then football - the beautiful game - in our country. For that was the ultimate common objective of all involved and present. The organisers, to their much deserved credit, were able to pull-off everything they had planned for the event, as mentioned in the event-preview by IndianFootball.Com. But Soccer Twist commenced at 9:30 pm. Before that, however, there was an equally important complementary event. Sahara Samay (Mumbai) - a popular news channel in India, and viewed internationally in as many as 67 countries - had been invited by the organisers to the occasion. The channel's head, Mr Rajiv K Bajaj, was to conduct his famous "The RKB Show", live on location at Velocity, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This was a tremendous boost, as it added to the exposure of domestic football in India in general, and to the event and its objectices in particular. In fact, this was the first show of its kind conducted by a channel in the country. Mr. Bajaj conducted his discussions on various topics with: Mr. Kamal Govil (Chairman and Managing Director, Rudrakska Advertising Pvt. Ltd., organisers of the event), Mrs. Govil, Mr. Dereyk D'Souza (former international player and former Indian national coach), Mr. Brijesh Govil (Director Events, Rudraksha Adv.), Maneesh Kajania (goalkeeper, player - Union Bank of India), Neville David (player - Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers), Keegan Pereira (player - Mahindra United U-19), Amar Ansari (player - Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers), Saurabh Sharma (player - Bank Of Baroda), and Karim Shaikh (player - Dena Bank) The above mentioned six players, are among the most talented crop of junior level players in Mumbai, of whom a lot is expected. Mr. Bajaj commenced by enquiring of the players, when they started playing, their enjoyment of it, prospects in it, their contentment with it, and their complaints with its current state in the country. He then proceeded to discuss the upcoming event details with Mr. Brijesh, who had conceptualised the event, and its set-up. Mr. Kamal, when asked of his objectives from the event, proceeded to mention the promotion of the domestic sport, by helping in some way or other to create interest and participation. Dereyk Sir was asked a brief historical progress of the game in the country, for information to viewers. Mr. Bajaj then discussed with the panellists the current state of the game, the causes for it, and the requirements for improvements for it, along with those for the infrastructure and playing standards developments. On the topic of the NFL, the players present felt that it had had a positive impact in playing standards and coaching methods. On a lighter note, the personal favourites of the players were asked by Mr. Bajaj, and the results weren't surprising, as the usual suspects, Ronaldinho, Beckham, Kahn, Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc. were mentioned. The domestic coaching standards and the official associations/federations were also discussed and mentioned. The players highlighted their aspirations in their careers. Everybody agreed that a co-ordinated effort by various organisations, be it public/private were required. Mr. Kamal pointed out the requirement for concerted effort in helping to generate awareness and interest in domestic football, mentioning the fact that normal folk too have a certain degree of obligation in this, as spectators. As you can tell, this was an extremely enlightening and comprehensive discussion on domestic Indian football. Thus, the eveing could not have commenced on a better footing, in achieving its objective. After this, the players proceeded to a hall upstairs, to fine-tune their ball-skills for the next hour or so it took convert the temporary television studio, on the discotheque dance-floor, into a mini-football pitch, complete with a goal-post with net and the penalty box with the other necessary markings. The assembled crowd was seated around this play-area, suitably protected from any harmful stray-shots, with a surround of safety netting between them and the demonstrating players. In the background, a large-screen was playing a video-collection of some of the best international goals ever-scored, caught on tape, which gave a nice complement to the entire set-up. I had gotten a preview of the amazing skills that were going to be displayed to the assembled crowd, when I witnessed the young players practising upstairs, and knew then and there, that the crowd would be dazzled, as they most certainly were. The players were all kitted up completely, and that probably enhanced the closeness of the experience of football for all present. The players were cheered on, as they made their way to the playing-area. They performed a mini-warm-up, to ensure they don't get injured during their demonstration, and also to enlighten the crowd of it. They then proceeded with innumerable demonstrations of football passing, wizardry, skill, shooting, and keeping. There were one-on-ones, lobs/chips, one-two passes, dribbles, freekicks, sublime one-touch passing, and not to mention the most popular and highly impressive variations of ball-juggling and balancing acts. The crowd regularly applauded each amazing feat. They were witness to some of the beauties of this game from very close quarters, and surely appreciated it. A few members of the crowd came down onto the play-area to have a go at a few tricks themselves, and one lucky person also managed to win himself a small prize by beating the goalkeeper with a shot. Others won prizes for small trivia on the game. The DJ's with their music, and the announcer with his witty remarks, added to the entertainment. At the end of the demonstartion, the players were asked to mention a few positive words/messages they had for those present. The players expressed their pleasure at this opportunity they had had, and for the appreciation they had got. They stressed for continued support by the public to domestic football. Mr. Dereyk D'Souza finished by advising the basics needed, for one and all to be successful at football, as quoted by Pele, namely, skill, stamina, strength, and speed, to which the announcer appropriately added the term - support. Thus the evening's purpose concluded, so fantastically achieved. Overall, it was a really amazing concept, full of potential, and it was great that the organisers, Rudraksha Advertising, thought of it. Also, the event was a great benefit, from the point of view of these talented young players. They were looking forward to it full of eagerness and positive energy, at the beginning of the evening. For, when they heard they were ging to be on live television, they were scrambling to inform as many of their loved ones as possible via their mobiles. It was visibly a great moment of personal pride for them. Hopefully this unique experience added to their motivation for this sport, and translates into a desire for better footballing ambiton. |
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