When someone asks me what I do as the live broadcast producer of Tata Steel Trailblazers, I often pause. Not because I don’t know the answer, but because explaining my job to friends and family feels harder than managing 40 athletes, 12 sessions, and a packed 5-star hotel in a single day. Producing this high-octane sports conclave is a challenge that tests every ounce of my patience, creativity, and humour—qualities I have sharpened in two unforgettable years.
Let’s start with the pressure. Think of this as planning a wedding where every guest is a superstar—Olympic medalists, Paralympians, sponsors, and media representatives, all with their own demands and expectations. The stakes? Sky-high. Food, sleep, and rest? Luxuries you can’t afford. Humour? Your best ally.
The Neeraj Chopra Incident
Take the first year, for example. We planned a hybrid session with Neeraj Chopra. He was training in South Africa, so the session combined an in-person guest with Neeraj joining via Zoom. Everything was ready—audio tested, Zoom link active. Five minutes before the session, chaos erupted.
Neeraj could hear his own audio but not Boria Majumdar or the other guest in Kolkata. On our end, we heard multiple echoes from Neeraj. Pandemonium ensued. Wires were swapped like musical chairs. The clock ticked down. Boria, known for his calm, turned slightly pink—a clear warning sign. As the team scrambled, I remembered my father’s advice: “It’s always a basic thing that goes wrong.”
With 15 seconds left, I found the culprit—two identical Zoom windows open on the same laptop. I asked Sumit da to close one. The moment he did, silence turned to clarity. Problem solved. Neeraj spoke, Boria replied, and the session unfolded seamlessly. We laughed it off later, but trust me, that laughter had a layer of hysteria.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
Live Audio Woes
Another time, during a live session broadcast on social media, a team member rushed to tell me the audio wasn’t working. Panic. People scrambled like headless chickens, questioning everything from microphones to connections. Turns out, a guest had tripped on an audio wire while walking to the stage, loosening it. One quick fix later, we were back live, but not before everyone aged five years in five minutes.
The Athlete Puzzle Marathon
The Trailblazers Conclave isn’t just a conclave—it’s a mammoth puzzle. Imagine managing 40 athletes across 12–13 sessions a day, ensuring they arrive on time, remembering their sessions, and are seated like pieces in a human jigsaw puzzle. Add sponsors, media, and enthusiastic fans wanting selfies, and you have a recipe for chaos.
One day, after completing my empowerment walk (read: herding athletes into their sessions), I ran to produce Sania Mirza’s interview. Sania, escorted by her bodyguard, was safely tucked in the VIP lounge. When I tried to enter, the guard stopped me.
“Sania ma’am’s interview is on. Only RevSportz personnel allowed.”
“I am RevSportz,” I replied, exhausted.
The guard looked skeptical. “How will the interview happen without me?” I asked, finally pushing through the crowd. Let’s just say, producing interviews sometimes feels like an episode of The Amazing Race.
Takeaways and Reflections
Through all the madness, the Tata Steel Trailblazers Conclave has taught me resilience and resourcefulness. Handling Olympic stars, Paralympians, and sponsors isn’t just about logistics; it’s about people management, quick thinking, and staying calm under pressure.
Every session, every glitch, every marathon day has made me a better producer. The conclave isn’t just a challenge—it’s a masterclass in live production. From managing hybrid sessions to solving audio crises, I’ve learned to anticipate the unexpected and thrive in high-stress situations.
The Toughest Part
In short, producing the conclave is tougher than any tournament I’ve worked on. Yet, it’s only the second-toughest part of my job. The toughest? Explaining my profession to family and friends who think I “just shoot videos.”
But hey, at least I can laugh about it—after all, humour is my survival kit in the high-octane world of live production. If you think this job is glamorous, remember the story of two Zoom windows, a tripped wire, and a very skeptical bodyguard. That’s the real behind-the-scenes magic of the Tata Steel Trailblazers.
Also Read: 50 days to go for the biggest celebration of Indian sport