The IPL is still on and is nearing the play-offs as I leave for Oxford. I will focus on my academic work for the next few weeks before joining my team for the all-important India tour of England. For me, this was kind of unthinkable a year ago. What about RevSportz’s programming for the next few days? How will things happen? How will we handle the IPL play-offs?
Even a year ago, I’d have thought about these questions, and got anxious in the process. No more. We are now a team of 50, yes 50, and I now have a core group good enough to take care of programming in my absence or when I am traveling and doing less media work. In each of the three languages – Hindi, Bengali and English – we have teams of dedicated reporters who are extremely good at their work. In three and a half years of our existence, this is an excellent place to be in.
From negotiating a personal ban, which could have impacted the company’s fortunes to breaking new ground with coverage, RevSportz has come a long way. Having said that, some things have stayed intact. It will always remain a platform for journalists and by journalists. Return on investment, yes, but passion for multisport coverage is as important. Giving young people opportunities will always be a mission, and we will do so with purpose.
In a few days, we will reveal our plans for England. Suffice to say, no Indian media house has tried anything as ambitious. Also, the England tour isn’t the only event of significance in Indian sport. We will have our reporters at events across the world and make sure that we cover each of the events on ground. Every reporter has been asked to choose a new sport and will start following it and develop expertise. Each needs to grow beyond their sport of choice, and adapt and learn. It is not just about cricket and will never be.
Add the conclaves to this list, and you will have a fair idea of scale. Trailblazers 2025 in Kolkata between March 6-8 was a huge success. With cricketers, Olympic and paralympic champions all under one roof, it helped us in charting the trajectory of Indian sport going forward.
That we are on the right track is evident from the number of job applications we continue to receive these days from men and women wanting to work with us. I wish I could have more people join us.
We are all living the RevSportz dream – one which aims to enrich Indian sport and, in doing so, make the fraternity better and more resilient. There will be many firsts on the way, and the England series will one of them. Keep supporting us and give us feedback, for it makes a huge difference.
For me personally, it is time to be hands-off for some time, and see the team do the job and take control. When young men and women step up, there is nothing better or more satisfying.
Also Read: Chandrakant Pandit’s domestic success couldn’t prepare him for survival in the IPL jungle