A person I see everyday.
Same time, same place, same sport.
Same training with variation on a daily basis but over the period, same.
Teaching the basics, the techniques.
With almost the same enthusiasm sometimes declining, but then again rising when he sees a rising star.
5:30 am in the morning.
He is there on the ground. Beginning his training. Repeating his schedule.
Till late night. Around 10 – 11 pm.
He does take breaks in between. But untimed tea and lunch breaks.
He receives a few calls in between. Mostly by his students, if they can come.
He never denies. All are welcome.
But yes, some calls are by family members too.
And by the response he gives over the call, I can understand, he has again forgotten something. Once he forgot taking his kid to school.
He just listens, and then silently keeps the phone and continues training his students.
Sometimes I do find him lost.
Sometimes, in between the training.
Sometimes, just sitting casually and looking at don’t know what. Just lost.
Then next moment, back on the ground.
When he is on the ground, the ground is fully active.
Everybody looking for a glance from him. So he can correct them.
But yes, there are some serious students too.
Practising irrespective of him being there or not.
He too doesn’t pay much attention to them.
Because he knows. Basics are done. Now, it is just dancing till it rains.
The students are very close to him. They don’t call him Sir. They start calling him Bhaiya.
Some could not even afford the fee. So he just teaches them. Out of their passion.
They are uninvited guests to his home too sometimes. Just in search of some food and fun.
Yes, he is not good at appreciating.
Seems he can’t.
Seems he has some god-made benchmarks.
Thinks only those can make great players.
Stupid he. Doesn’t know how to motivate players on a daily basis.
I have been seeing him for the last 5 years now.
Same place, same time, same training.
But here’s the catch.
I see different faces on the other side.
Each year, 50 percent of the new ones leave.
Next 50 percent in the next year. And it follows.
At the end of 5 years, I see 2 – 3 same faces. Rest all new.
Just imagine 2 out of 100 after 5 years are the same.
Rest all hard work behind the old ones — gone. Woosh.
Interesting.
Some start having a difference of opinion after 2 years.
Some even go against. Surprisingly.
Some say his methods are not right.
Some just stop coming — randomly.
Some change coach — and again.
Some become coaches themselves.
Some do continue but don’t believe.
Some stop believing.
Whenever anything such happens, he thinks he has failed.
He questions his own methodology.
Did he teach right? Because this is not what he taught. Certainly not.
Questions rise in himself.
He goes silent for a while.
Sitting alone.
On the ground.
Contemplating and quiet.
But then, a sound comes from a corner —
“Sir.”
He raises his head.
Sees a new face.
He smiles.
Gets up again and says — “Let’s start. Let’s contribute.” 😊