Me and My… Love for Sports

Waving colored flags
We won’t surrender, there’s no standing down
There’s a playing field
It’s full of winners, we’re breaking new ground

David Guetta (Song: This One’s For You)

If you have played any sport in your entire life, today I am gonna take you down the memory lane. My father has played cricket all his life, even a few years after marriage. So his passion for sports was inherently transferred to me. Since childhood I have been a super active kid. Even when I grew up there wasn’t one sport that we hadn’t played. And after the birth of my younger brother, my dad’s energy was through the roof. From cricket and badminton on the terrace, table tennis on the dining table to chess and other random games that involved running, dad gave me the Takeshi Castle fun at home. I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.

No wonder I am a cricket fanatic now. From watching the world cup wins in 2007 and 2011 to watching every IPL season religiously till last year (coz, it just doesn’t feel the same with these new teams), I just love this sport. I have been a bowler since the start coz breaking my face with the ball never felt worth it. My dad, my brother, my cousin and I used to play on the terrace with plastic wickets, wooden bat and the green cosco ball.

I literally had the exact same set (laughing emojis)

I’m a big fan of cricket and I watch these matches for the love of the game. Especially all the finals without blinking an eye. It’s like a festival, we all sit in front of the TV with drinks and snacks. While talking to guys I have got this comment quite some times that they haven’t met a girl who is as invested in cricket as they are. Coming from a college cricket team captain it means something (smirk emojis). And also what’s the fun if our country isn’t playing. So as hard as I tried I couldn’t enjoy football (no offense). 

I had always participated in school functions as a dancer, orator or any role that I could get. But then as soon I entered middle school, my sports teacher Ms. Amarjeet wrote my name in the Kho-Kho team. Her white hair showed nothing but her experience. She could spot talent with her side-eye. As soon as I started playing, I felt a rush of blood that I had never felt. This adrenaline never let me leave the team. I became a permanent player very soon and also went for zonals to represent our school. Amarjeet mam retired after these zonals, and so did I from the sport. 

It’s a random photo from the internet, but I miss playing!

But once you start playing you can’t stop. As Kapil Dev rightly said in the movie 83 “Taste success once, tongue wants more”. The other sports teachers knew I was good at running so they made me participate in races now. Your girl became an athlete in no time (laughing emojis). But the runner girls from my batch had already made a name for themselves. So just the thought of competing against them made me shiver. I started with 200m and then transitioned to the relay race. In class 12, I won a silver medal in the relay race on sports day. 

I hadn’t expected that I would continue playing in college. But the Universe has its ways. I got a chance to be a part of the relay race in the last year of my college. I was the first person to take the baton and run. The moment the coach said 3, 2 … 1 RUN, I slipped on the first step. I can hear you laughing, it was pretty tragic, leave me alone now. As soon as I slipped I lost hope but then I gained speed as I ran and ultimately we got third position in the race. You know what was the best part of the race? A jersey with my name on it with my favorite number ‘09’.

I still have it and I am always gonna keep it (sob emojis)

I have also played a fair share of volleyball but because of my school sports teacher being ruthless, I left. Sports require discipline and technique, but I just couldn’t develop the passion for this one. Call it a coincidence or something coz my brother has represented his school in volleyball for quite a few years now! And how can I forget the fascination I had for basketball. Of course cinema and TV had a big role in making all the players hot (laughing emojis). So you either wanna have one of them or be as good as them. Being in a girls school I only had one option (yup, you can guess which one).

Also is march past considered a sport? I have been doing it all my life. I didn’t ever get to hold the flag in the front but I learned to keep my back straight, my strides long and my arms synchronized while walking. At first I did it just because it was compulsory but then I started to gain interest. It actually helped me to sit and stand straight. From batting practice with the ball hanging on a string to using the dining table for Table Tennis and the grids on the marble floor as a net for badminton and lawn Tennis, I don’t think I can ever grow up. 

The one in the blue box, DONOT zoom in or laugh (I’m watching)

It is my dream to go on an actual run (not jog) every day in different countries. Running is sooo therapeutic. All the thoughts pause and all you can feel is your breath, the strides of your run and the air hitting your face. Your mind goes silent and the music in your ears blasts louder. It’s upsetting that as we grow up we tend to give up these times that give us immense happiness. My physical activity has decreased since I left college. My goal for this year is to get into better shape. Are you with me? Let’s do this together!

Journal Time: If you have played any sport ever, I want you to play once again. Today I want you to leave your journal and pen and get your hands dirty. It’s time for us to get in touch with our energy and let it out. Also if you want you can journal about what you felt when you were playing. Let the emotions flow and channel your CHI.

The meditating pose emoji

Until next time, Adios Amigos.

I wrote about my convent school experience. If you haven’t read it already, first of all EXCUSE ME (jealous emoji), second of all, to get going click here- Part 1, Part 2.

If you spend a lot of time on tasks like writing, content creation, designing, and digital art, Let me help you save time. Let’s finish the work faster and in a more efficient manner. Click to see what you can expect- MY WORK!

Connect with me: nayankatyal@mindoomph.com

I have finally launched my NEWSLETTER, where you can now receive UPDATES ON MY NEW BLOGS via EMAIL. In addition, you will receive SUGGESTIONS AND LEARNINGS FROM NEW SELF HELP PODCASTS, PRODUCTIVITY BOOKS, and much more. Subscribe to be a part of the “MINDFUL Club.” ⬇️

Sign Up for the Newsletter! – MindOomph