Love of my life

Let me introduce you to my love.

We met around 19 years ago (yeah that’s long). It was not love at first sight. In fact, initially, we had a very complicated relationship. We would meet once a day for around 2 hours, but never really got along well. But my parents insisted that we meet more often and get to know each other better.

I agreed. She had no choice.

As the days went by and we got to know each other better, we realized that how different we were. I was soft and shy, and she was full of life and thrill.

Despite the differences, we felt a strange connection that got us together every single day. As I discovered more of her, I felt attracted to her each day.

But, I had some issues with her, she demanded loyalty, commitment and long hours, long long hours with me.

Interestingly, I was not sure if I was ready for this commitment.

And then one fine day something happened. She introduced me to a whole new world. Suddenly, my name was associated with her. People wanted to talk to me, meet me, play with me, because I was her. They even started taking pictures with me, taping me and writing about me.

I was getting to know her better and be the best of her, and in the process, I became a local name.

She took me to places, around the world. More than 40 countries.

She introduced me to some amazing people whom I now call family.

She inculcated a sense of discipline, perseverance, hard work, positivity and passion in me.

There were times when we didn’t get along well, actually a few years. Those were brutal. But we grew out of it. I am glad. Because, she made me who I am today. Our struggles only strengthened our relationship.

She became my identity.

In 2008, she took me to the rings, a place many can only dream of.

She gave me a whole new life.

Together, we make a wonderful team. And we will continue to cultivate our relationship, in different ways, in the future.

She is my game, my sport that people associate with me.

She is : TABLE TENNIS.

And she is my WOW:

“Hi I am Neha Aggarwal, former Olympic Table Tennis Athlete from India”

and

I will carry her with me, forever! 

ONE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE.

“Squeeze your core in, use that power, bend low and then try to make that spin”

“NO. That’s NOT what I just said. FOCUS. Bend low Neha. Low. You are tall, you need to be low all the time”

Faster, yes, tak tak tak, faster Neha, tak tak tak, I said go fast, yes, 10 more seconds, …, 5 more, 4, 3, 2, 1, boom!

“I am dying coach, please no more”

You want to win the Championship right?

“Yes”

Tak Tak Tak, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.  10 seconds push ups, 20 seconds crunches, and a 30 second plank. And then you can pack up.

“Someone save me please”

“I heard you, make it a 1-minute plank”

SILENCE.

Been almost 6 months I haven’t heard this. Yes, this was a typical day at training with my coach.

This is what I did for almost 16 years. Trying to get better day by day. Honing all those skills so that I bring laurels to my country. My family. Myself.

But I had committed myself till the Commonwealth Games 2014 ( didn't make it) and the Asian Games 2014 ( i made it :-)).

Then continued a series of long and lost moments, thinking all by myself, wondering what to do next.

What am I supposed to do with my life? Is it just quarter life crisis? Maybe.

But I was thinking of something else too. I was thinking of all that I didn’t have and all that my counterparts in the West had. We don’t have swanky stadiums, an established collegiate system, funds to train and in general an open mindset to pursue sports.

Blame game?

Nah.

I asked myself, Neha, don’t you remember what Mahatma Gandhi once said, “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE”.

“Yes.”

But how?  

I am in the middle of a quarrel with my parents over a night stay at my friend’s place which they are not allowing and then suddenly, beep beep- an Email. I graciously ask them for a “Time Out”.

And it read: CONGRATULATIONS! Your application has been accepted, Welcome to Columbia University, in the City of New York!!

UNBELIVABLE

And there I was, on 31^st August 2015 at Lerner Hall, during Orientation, with 65 other students from 21 different countries, different cultures, religions, beliefs and experiences. All together under one roof with one common passion- SPORTS.

ORIENTATION

Since then, its been 5 months, and each day is a new learning experience for me. Each day I feel that this was the best decision I had ever made in life. (Oh no, maybe all those decisions that I had made in between the games during the 2008 Olympic Qualifying tournament were the best?)

I have met the best names in the industry- David Stern, Mark Tatum, Billie Jean King, Harvey Schiller, Sachin Tendulkar and so many other such people.

I have been pushed outside and far away from my comfort zone. I have been exposed to a new life all together- from an athlete training 8 hours a day, to a student attending classes, brainstorming ideas and meeting deadlines.

Student life is hard. When you have to learn Corporate Finance, its harder. When you have to make a PowerPoint presentation in front of an audience, its even harder. When you have to write about Rugby in the US its terrible.

Living all by myself in an unknown city with limited funds doing something I had only dreamt of, is sometimes scary.

But that’s how you learn. Every single day.

And cook. Pasta. Daal. Paneer. Aloo. Chhole. I have my mom’s cooking talents :-) 

 I was reborn at 26. New city. New people. New teammates. But, the same goal in mind—bring glory to my nation. But this time, not as an athlete, rather, as a successful sports business professional.

Sport gives you the courage to dream big and take risks. The Columbia experience has made me believe that those big dreams would come true. They are preparing me to face the battle. Sooner or later, when I step into the battlefield, I would be ready for it. To play my cards well.

I see the Tricolor go high, and Jana Gana Mana play at the background, athletes saluting our flag, and myself, somewhere at the corner, in tears of joy!

One day. SOON.

COLUMBIA

Happy Birthday Sharath Kamal.

Every sport has this one player for whom the entire nation cheers. Whenever, wherever he/she is competing, the entire nation wants him/her to win. Sachin tendulkar. Saina Nehwal. Vishvanathan Anand. Abhinav Bindra. Sania Mirza. For us Table tennis lovers, Sharath Kamal is that name. And today is no usual day. The legend turns 33 today. What surprises me is the fact that he has played the best table tennis of his life at the age of 32, his zeal and passion for the game has only grown over the years and he’s the one who has changed the face of Indian TT.  How I wish he keeps playing and winning forever!

My first interaction with him was in 2004 at Mumbai airport when we were waiting for our respective delayed flights to take off. Little did I know that I will experience one of the best conversations of my life ever. As I sat aloof at a corner, I saw this man- the man who had then won the commonwealth championship, whom I had secretly admired, approaching towards me! I stared at him in disbelief when he said “Hi Neha, glad to see you here, long wait eh?” Surprised that he knew my name, I thanked god for the delay! We spoke about table tennis, me, him and life. The conversation ended an hour later only when I had my final boarding call.

Sharath after winning the 2004 Commonwealth Championship

 3 years back, there was another instance which almost saved my playing career. There came a time when I felt disillusioned, I wanted to quit playing, and got no answers from anywhere. Hesitant, I dialed his number hoping for a short inspirational chat. To my surprise he said ‘’Neha I am at Delhi airport and my flight is in 2 hours, I am with family, but that’s ok, can u make it here?” I rushed to the airport in my pyjamas. He told me to hang in there, just one more tournament and I will be good to go. He reaffirmed my faith in hard work with his own example. I had to believe his word, I am glad I did. I cannot thank him enough for that time. I am glad I made that call.

My Favourite Picture 

Always there to support his juniors.

 I caught up with a few die hard fans of this legend, fans who have a special connection with this grounded star, fans who probably even Sharath himself isn’t aware of!

N.Vidya is a promising paddler from Chennai who trains at the AKG Academy managed by the Rao brothers and Rajath Kamal ( Sharath's brother). During my year and a half long stint at AKG I realized how lucky these players are to be playing in the same club where Sharath trains when in India. Although he is hardly seen at the club, the numerous stories of struggle and success narrated by Rao brothers are the daily inspirational does one needs. Here’s what Vidya has to say about Sharath:

“I am so lucky to have joined his academy, not everyone gets to see the best Indian paddler in their academy. Sharath anna is an epitome of hard work and sincerity. He is not only a successful sports person but also a great human being. J It is his humility that defines him more than anything else. Just talking about him to someone gives me so much pride. He is an example of how people can make it big despite average performances at the junior level. Sir tell us many stories of how he had battled adversities ‘N’ number of times to win a match” When asked what is the craziest thing she has ever done for Sharath Kamal, Vidya promptly recalled, “ I was watching his CWG 2006 finals on TV and praying at every point for him to win. I got so involved in the match that it was only after the match I realized that I had scratched myself in thrill and I was bleeding. My mom was shocked. I was so happy after his win. ” Vidya adds rather dejected, “However, my dream to play mixed doubles with him still remains a dream”

I am glad that I got this opportunity. I paired up with him in 2013 Commonwealth Championship and Asian Championships. We lost in the initial stages but it was a dream come true.

Kamal's ''Fans''

Watch this beautiful video of this young paddler from Bengal, Anirban Ghosh, who recalls the match he played against Sharath Kamal in 2012. Anirban was only 13 years old that time and was clearly in awe of the legend. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi8fheGB4no 

Anirban's dream match with Sharath

Mr.Rajeev Sharma, the Director of Events and CTO of  Killerspin, is a huge admirer of Sharath Kamal. He was present at the 2010 US Open and CWG Delhi 2010, cheering his heart out for the Indian team, especially Sharath (ofcourse). Delighted to talk to me about Kamal, he readily replied, "In one of the initial rounds at a tournament in US, Sharath was given a table with concrete flooring, even though he was the top seed. Concerned, I went to him and asked- 'why don't you ask the tournament organizers to change the table for you?' To my surprise Sharath replied- 'I don't like to complain, I can play in any condition, I am here to perform and not question anyone.' Sharath has won my heart on several occasions but this made him win all my respect."

Rajeev and Sharath in US

Yukti Roshni is one girl who has been admiring Sharath secretly since she was 8. She hails from Chennai and is now preparing to become a doctor. Yukti proudly claims, “ I feel Sharath anna is a PHD in table tennis. (P- Passion, H-Hunger, D-Discipline). This is his success mantra. Sharath anna’s presence reminds me of the famous quote- ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’. He is the most humble person I have ever met. I have great respect for him.” A few years back on this day Yukti made sure she wishes him. She says the craziest thing she has done was a few years back “ I wanted to wish him on his birthday but his line was busy since a long time. I kept trying his number all day but somehow couldnt get through. Although I texted him but I wanted to talk. I kept trying, but still the line was busy. Later in the day he called me back and said, ‘Yukti, this is too much. Thank you; I really appreciate your effort’. We had a hearty laugh after that. I spent my whole day trying for that one call, but it was worth it!”

Hope she didn’t have problems trying his number today!

With Krishnan Ananth in Germany. He travels all over the world to watch Sharath play!

Sharath's Mother, Wife and Daughter. Undoubtedly his biggest fans :-)

I hope and wish that 33 is his lucky number. He must recover fast from the injury he suffered earlier this year at the World Championships. We miss him in action. Like for Serena Williams and Roger Federer this Wimbeldon, I wish that 33 proves to be lucky for Kamal too. He aims to break into top 25 soon. His fans wish the same. 

Happy Birthday Sharath Kamal!