Trailblazers conclave 2.0 was formally inaugurated by Pulella Gopichand on Monday evening with a press conference at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club, which was more than packed to capacity. What Gopi said and details of the conversation will be written by my RevSportz colleagues. That’s not the focus of this piece. Rather, I will be writing about the response I witnessed from journalist colleagues at the press conference. It was, indeed, overwhelming.
By the time we reached the venue at 345pm for a 4pm event, the club auditorium was packed to capacity. Journalists, print and broadcast, were all there and a lot of them known to us for ages. Almost each one came up and congratulated us for the event and asked if they could come to the Rev Conclave and if exclusive interviews with Gopi was allowed and possible. It is natural that anyone would do so. Even if you get two minutes of exclusive time, it makes a big difference. And with Gopi’s consent we had set aside close to an hour for further interactions after the main press meet was over. Hundreds of pictures were clicked and questions asked and Gopi, the gentleman that he is, did not say no.
It was one event where everyone was happy. We managed to take every question at the press conference and some asked more than one. The smiles said it all. “You will let us ask questions to the panellists on 7-8 March?”, queried a few of them.
🚨Pullela Gopichand at RevSportz Trailblazers Conclave 2
Pullela Gopichand spoke about the significance of gathering athletes and coaches from different sports at the RevSportz #TrailblazersConclave2.
The Indian Badminton Team Chief Coach said Satwik-Chirag is prepared to beat… pic.twitter.com/8YMgZiqze7
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) March 4, 2024
The point is very simple. Trailblazers 2.0 is by journalists and for journalists. It is being organised by a team of sports scribes for their colleagues. It is only natural that we will do our best to ensure the fraternity benefits from the conclave. Today’s press reports, and there are many, say it all. There are reports across television, print and digital media and every report is a celebration. Just like the Rev Conclave.
For years, editors heading news outlets have discriminated against sports journalists. These editors who specialise in political reporting inevitably scuttle sports coverage citing budget issues. For the record, sport is a tool of soft power and even the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognises it. The decision to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games is the best example. And yet you ask the editors of newspapers and TV channels for money to cover the Asian Games or the Olympics and many will refuse saying things can be done by sitting in the confines of the office. Really? Why would they travel with political luminaries then? Why would they undertake international trips with ministers and report from the ground? Why discriminate against sport?
Again, when a major sports event happens, these editors wake up to life. They will then push sports journalists to set up interviews for them for their prime time shows. The simple question is why can’t the sports journalist do these interviews when he or she has worked every day in a year? Why does the editor have to jump in?
It is for these sports journalists that we are doing the conclave. For everyone who is a part of the eco system. It is time to get the eco system together. Empower each other and support. Stand by each other and celebrate sport in what is an Olympic year. That’s what we will be doing on March 7-8 at the Trailblazers Conclave. That’s what Revsportz stands for. To bring our own together and give each other a voice. Gopi’s press conference was an example that it works. The smiles and the reports in today’s press stand testimony.
🚨Pullela Gopichand at RevSportz Trailblazers Conclave 2
Pullela Gopichand spoke about the significance of gathering athletes and coaches from different sports at the RevSportz #TrailblazersConclave2.
The Indian Badminton Team Chief Coach said Satwik-Chirag is prepared to beat… pic.twitter.com/8YMgZiqze7
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) March 4, 2024
Coverage of the Press Conference by other media: