Five months of effort. A dream turning into reality. To get India’s very best athletes under one roof, speaking to each other and charting the way forward for Indian sport. Meaningful conversations, inspiring stories, key issues that often go under the radar – Trailblazers 3.0 will have it all. Athletes have already started to come in. In fact, it is perhaps fitting that Dronacharya Pullela Gopichand, our lifetime achievement award recipient at the conclave, was the first to arrive on the night of March 5. Gopi always brings with himself a sense of calm. Seeing us stressed, all he said was: “You have all worked the hardest and followed the process. The implementation has to fall in place.”
That’s what it is now about. With over 35 of India’s best sportspeople in Kolkata, it is now about soaking it all in. Allow as many students and sports enthusiasts the opportunity. A school principal said it right. “Sir, this is a life changing opportunity for anyone. Will you please allow our students to come? In other conclaves the registration fee is so high that they can’t afford it. Hence this request.”
Yes, we were oversubscribed. But we still made it a point to accommodate 10 students. That’s what it is about. Create legacies that we are proud of. Make changes and try and be the best version of ourselves.
The conclave is not just about the success stories. Beyond the medals, these athletes bringstories of empowerment, equality and sensitivity. Stories of struggle and overcoming adversity. In sum, stories of a new India that is speaking out to the world. It is only very recently that these athletes (more so our Paralympic stars) are being celebrated and their stories heard. And that is what we propose to do at the conclave. We wish to showcase the struggles and triumphs of these athletes and bring out their stories, leadership and life lessons.
Teamwork, essential to corporate success, overcoming adversity, and dealing with the challenges of mental health are all part of these athletes’ journeys to triumph. The conclave will include panels and will be interactive, with the athletes sharing their experiences with the audience. Some of these athletes are from economically underprivileged backgrounds, some with physical disabilities, and their stories of struggle and triumph are the stuff of legends and dreams. Given that sport is now a huge avenue, not only for spectators and consumers of sport, but also for those with an interest in sports management, sport medicine, sports law or sports science, this conclave could be a true game-changer.
Finally, how could we ever ignore cricket? With India in the Champions Trophy final, it is imperative that we have some of the best voices to help us discuss the Indian cricket narrative. Cheteshwar Pujara, Deep Dasgupta, Ravichandran Ashwin and Sourav Ganguly on cricket, and what it takes to win, will indeed be a highlight of the conclave.
In sum, it is a celebration of sport. In totality. With constructive critical discussions that we will all learn from. Time for it to start. For those who can’t make it physically, you can follow it all on the RevSportz platforms. Do watch and enjoy.