On Thursday, I had a long chat with Savita Punia. After 300 caps for India and a stunning save in the shootout to give India a famous win, Savita is back, and how. My colleague Rohan Chowdhury was keen to do an interview and celebrate the effort, and that’s why I had called her.
“I will always remember what you had said that fateful night when we lost to Japan,” she told me. “My father and husband are both aware. I was about to retire, and you had literally stopped me from making the mistake. Will always remember it.”
For a few seconds, I was stunned. Over the years, many athletes have become friends and it is a special bond. And as a friend, you do your bit. I remember giving Savita Sachin Tendulkar’s example and saying that had he retired after the 2007 World Cup disaster, he wouldn’t have seen 2011. His career, in many ways, wouldn’t have been complete.
Yes, it is painful to lose but that’s what sport is all about. She shouldn’t retire defeated. Instead, she needed to soak it in and make a comeback. She is just too good to not win again, and should only give up when on a high. Yes, I admit it is easier said than done. She was inconsolable that night, and it was understandable. India’s Olympic dream was shattered, and as skipper, she was finding it very hard to deal with it all.
But then, she did. And that’s why she is the champion that she is. Sport is about these moments that test you. And now, Indian women’s hockey is back on track and Savita has a lot to look forward to. The Asian Games and the Olympics are there for her to aspire to, and that’s when the redemption will be complete. And yes, I will again speak to her and celebrate her then!
These are the kind of stories that we want to tell at the Trailblazers conclave. Stories that bring sport alive, and takes it away from the medals won and records broken. Make sport human, and those who play it men and women of flesh and blood. That’s when you identify with them, understand and celebrate them better.
While Savita will be busy playing the nationals, we will indeed have PR Sreejesh, Harmanpreet Singh, Rani Rampal and the entire Hockey India top brass with us – led by Dilip Tirkey and Bholanath Singh – to discuss the way forward for Indian hockey. We will also have Harendra Singh, who has helped bring the women’s sport back on track.
As one of our feature sports this year, along with chess, we have a fantastic session on the resurgence of Indian hockey between 5 and 6pm on March 7. It will also have Rahul Todi, proud owner of the Shrachi Tigers, winners of the first edition of the Hockey India League.
In all honesty, can’t wait.
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