Saturday, June 27, 2009

THE MATCHES ARE OVER - HOOP MANIA HAS BEGUN IN TUMKUR!

SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT 2009 is another milestone in the history of tumkur sports. More than FIFTY TEAMS participated - the participants' excitement knew no bounds. The competition was little tougher this year - hence an occassional losing of temper by senior players. WHO WANTS TO LOSE?

But the realisation that learning must continue and that arguments don't win matches [only scoring baskets does]- a saner view prevailed. Not only that - the senior players agreed to attend a basketball workshop at Betta Shambhunahalli which will be again a first of its kind.

The juniors, of course, enjoyed the tournament - they clapped for good scoring baskets even though it was against their school team. PRASHANT, as ususal, with his dummies and fakes - with impossible angle baskets captured the imagination of everyone, especially senior players. Couple of them threw Prashant like a basketball in the air.

Mr Arunodaya continues to surprise me - from being a foot soldier - to a General - he gets things done amazingly. He has now what it takes to conduct such tournaments. Satish and Ravi kumar came from Koratagere to witness the finals. They very badly want me to take a lead to make a good RCC court at Koratagere. I MUST!

Don Bosco wants a state of the art basketball court. Useful time was spent in their school and the work can be taken up in right earnest after the estimates are approved.

Sister Julia is leaving St. Mary's - another person who always treated us with great love and affection. We wish her the best.

Amogh's family provided me the `home' I always seek when I am outstation.

PE teacher from JNV, Urdigere - brought our newest SUMPOORNA FAMILY trainees and surprise of surprise they reached the semi-finals. Congratulations to all of them.
JNV children are full of love under their silent demeanor - I should know,I am a residential school product. When I see them - so many memories come and overwhelm me.

Statistics will be put in a separate note-sheet. They are not that important. TUMKUR BASKETBALL WON - that is more important.

Mr. Suresh with his flock of Bishop Sargent basketball teams provided exemplary co-operation and as usual he is very good natured in all environments. He was always there - whenever he was needed. Conducting SARGANTINE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT 2009 in the last week of August would be mainly his responsibility.

I SHOULD SLOWLY WITHDRAW from institutions where other persons can take over the mantle and continue promotion of basketball. That would be my victory.

SPARSH will start basketball coaching from Monday in Bishop Sargant.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

SUMPOORNA 2009 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BEGINS TOMORROW! WANT TO SEE MAGIC?

There are no more doubts, the tournament is well on its way - preparations are done. Last minute phone calls from students for giving entries. We are accepting every one. The basketball beginners, the basketball players and the basketball GODS all will gather under the banner of SUMPOORNA.

Everyone would be a soldier of this battle of sports revolution. These players will shed their sweat to herald a unique experiment in rural sports promotion. TUMKUR will have its own share under the `basketball sun' - we are ready to take on all other districts nay other states - countries.

Three years of tireless march in SUMPOORNA campus and other campuses as ambassadors of basketball - surely we will see MAGIC on 26th and 27th.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

BASKETBALL COACHING IN VIDYARANYAPURA, BANGALORE


Vidyaranyapura is a lucky layout having the state of the art basketball court. Well managed by the VIDYARANYAPURA SPORTS CLUB - Mr. Mahajan is the tireless coach. At 56 years he is fit as a fiddle and provides joy and learning to all the children who approach him.

PREPARATIONS FOR SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

2009 will definitely by the SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL YEAR. The first of the tournament is on 26th June and preparations for the same have begun in right earnest. As usual, doubts are arising of how many entries will come. Medals, cups, certificates, score sheets, scoring equipment - all should be arranged.

Though I now have a team to execute all my planning - still the fear lurks of some difficulties arising suddenly. It is at such times I feel so lonely. My army of young trainees are STILL TOO YOUNG! But as I grow older they will become stronger - this hope sustains me. What if they too disappear the way other disappeared - then that is my destiny.

JNV URDIGERE BASKETBALL CAMP

15 of us travelled to JNV, Urdigere. Very quickly we settled down and the large number of students of 7th and 8th were given the basic dribbling skill lessons. In no time, most of them were able to control the movement of the ball. The sumpoornites from St. Mary School then showed them a demo game. AFTER THAT every one wanted to play matches.

Matches always bring about tension because beginners donot know the `playing' methods. All they want is to snatch the ball and `run' towards the ring to put the basket. After many many attempts when one of the basket ball finally enters the ring - there is a huge applause. Days two and three were full of excitement - matches - learning skills. The lush green forests of urdigere are an awesome sight.

I played in my pyjama kurta [accidentally!] but the shooting skills were still there. Magic comes naturally when you are a `freak'.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

SUMPOORNA CAMP AT JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, URDIGERE, TUMKUR DISTT

We are back to what we do best - PROMOTING BASKETBALL. On 19th June to 21st June we will be training students of JNV with the help of SUMPOORNA DEMO TEAMS. On Sunday, we will have a tournament of sorts. Are you crazy? Students would learn basketball in two days and play matches on the third day? UNBELIEVABLE?

Well, that's the way it is with us. We believe in FUN - JOY and LEARNING OF BASKETBALL. Could a car-pool bring some children of VSC on sunday?