By the time I had gone up on stage to start the conclave, the hall was packed to capacity. There were some who had to stand and no one complained. The effort was finally coming to fruition. And when Manu Bhaker said “I can tell you now that I am already looking forward to Trailblazers 4”, you realise that the effort is successful.
I had asked her very bluntly. For us this conclave means a lot. We had worked for 5 months for it. But for her, who is doing events almost everyday, is it just a box tick or she too agrees that Revsportz is different. Manu was here in 2023 and she was back now. “I have seen you cover the CWG, Asian Games and Paris. I have been here to the conclave. I know this is an opportunity to meet fellow athletes and trust me when I say, I look forward to this event and wish you and the Revsportz team all the very best.”
If Manu was eloquent and made the point about India hosting the Olympics when we can cheer our athletes winning medals, Pujara was blunt when he said “India are outright favourites” to win the Champions Trophy. He dismissed the accusation that India has an unfair advantage. “India is winning because of team balance. Look at the number of all-rounders we have in the team. The bowling is superb with the spinners and the batting has every base covered. That’s why we are winning. Not because we are playing in Dubai”, said Pujara.
As he started speaking about the importance of domestic cricket and how much he is looking forward to the England series, one could sense the steel that helped him succeed in Australia. Clearly he isn’t done yet. Then there was Gopi and Sakshee and Vishy Anand and Dibyendu Barua. And corporate leaders like Adille Sumariwalla.
Frankly, it was a dream start. All that we wanted to do and achieve got done. But then we know it is just the start. We have two full days now and every session is a stand out. As Gukesh said over dinner, “I am totally relaxed and enjoying this event. And the food is excellent”. Yes, Gukesh loved the Rosogolla and we made sure no one bothered him with selfies over dinner.
Trailblazers is now a melting pot. It is an annual get together of athletes where they can open up. Speak up and be articulate. Engage with each other and celebrate Indian sport. Engage with the audience which they rarely get to do. And in all this, enrich sport. Enrich the narrative and ask the right questions. Trailblazers is something we are hugely proud of. It is India’s biggest sports conclave by a mile and it will only get bigger. Now to day 2. Time to keep things going.