But, for the three of us, our first year on the Table Tennis circuit ended with the dual straight 3-0 losses. In cadet class Aadi went down to Mayank Nishthal from Mumbai. Mayank is Aadi's age, has been playing competitively for three years, training for five, and will be the top seeded Cadet in Maharashtra next year when this year's top seed moves into the sub junior category. It was an easy match for Mayank. He did not even break sweat. But, we were happy with the match too. Aadi reserved his best play of the season for his second last match. He fought hard, was not cowed by either reputation or superior game play of his opponent and kept going till the last point. He also did not let his shoulders droop.
He almost never made the match. In a sad commentary on how sports is run in India, Aadi's match with Mayank was preponed by a couple of hours. The revised schedule was posted close to midnight the previous day, when most of the participants had already left the venue. How would the parents know? How would the kids turn up for their matches earlier? Not the organisers problem. We only discovered the changed timing five minutes before Aadi was supposed to take on Mayank. We were at home, about to sit down to lunch when another harried parent thought it prudent to call and inform us. Lunch forgotten we rushed to the venue. By the time we got there, Mayank had already been given a walkover. But a word with the chief referee changed that. Aadi got his chance to end his season with a match.
The past six months have been an emotional roller coaster. We have experienced it all. Exhilaration, at a runner-ups result at the district level. Depression at losing matches that should have been won.
Frustration at negative cheering and being outsmarted by parents and coaches who excelled at off table tactics. Cheating by a coach who deliberately mislead us and played Aadi in a category he should not have played in, just so the coach could gain visibility. There have been tears of joy and disappointment, mostly disappointment.
We have also learnt a lot. Aadi most of all. He has learnt to take pressure. To go on a table with a hall full of spectators and play, most of the time knowing his opponent is more experienced and skilled than he is. He has learnt the value of training. Of preparation. He has learnt to take wins and losses in his stride. That not all defeats are the same. There are honorable losses and there are painful defeats...these are the matches he should have won, or where he was distracted. He has learnt to focus. To blank out almost everything and just concentrate on the ball. He has learnt not to underestimate his opponent. He has learnt that even the biggest player is beatable on his day.
We have learnt as well. Learnt that though this is a game played by kids, this is no society soccer match. That the most serious kids train as hard as top professionals. Mayank trains six hours a day, every day. Another Mumbai kid and Aadi's rival for top state honors next year, plays each stroke a 1000 times a day. Next day it is a 1000 of another stroke and the next day a 1000 more of a third. We have learnt that there is no such thing as an individual sport. They are all team sports. We are Aadi's team. I drive him to and from practice and matches. Anjali is the nutritionist, ensuring he eats healthy and right. I worry about getting the right coaches and match practice. Anjali shoots the videos for Aadi to review after his match.
I make sure his paddle is ship shape that there are enough balls. Anjali ensures he has the outfit and shoes. I talk Table Tennis with Aadi. Anjali talks school syllabus, homework and exams with him. I take care of his fitness. She his health. The list goes on.
