Size matters

I was small built till I was in high school in Delhi. Only much later did I reach what in India one would call an ‘average height’. However, my almost size zero did have some resultant benefits.

The school, run by Irish Christian brothers had an elaborate sports day that involved class-wise march past at the National Stadium. Thanks to my lack of height I was always on the right extreme of the front row of the contingent. This entitled me to look straight ahead while all the others did an “eyes right” when we approached the saluting base. I would later boast to my pals that I was the lynchpin in the march past as the rest of the team had to adjust their alignment based on my position.

For other sporting events the height and weight would be added to arrive at the division to which a student belonged. Though I was in the XI standard I fell into the C division where my competitors would be from junior classes. This gave me an advantage in athletics. One year I foolishly took part in the 400 metres race. After the half way mark I found myself guarding the tail and was about to pack up. Suddenly I heard several voices egging me on. Apparently most of the other runners were dropping out due to lack of stamina. I finished last but ended up getting the third prize as only three of us finished the race. It was a thrilling moment running up the ramp to receive my medal from the chief guest in the same stadium where the first Asian Games was held.

I generally spent more time in sporting activities than in academics. During the hockey trials I was playing as left back without being in any active mode. Our teacher took possession of the ball and came rushing in to take aim at the goal. I blindly stuck out my hockey stick. To the surprise of every one I ended up with the ball and managed to push it towards one of our forwards. This singular feat got magnified and suddenly I was hailed as a star player and was selected for the ‘A’ team. However, considering my frame the teacher was not too confident about my handling the hulks in the opposing teams. He advised me instead to take over as the captain of the ‘B’ team where the opponents would be my physical equals.

As I entered college I gained some height but apparently not enough. My ambition was to be a fast bowler. I was used to playing gully cricket where I was a demon with the ball. I went confidently for the college cricket trials. Unfortunately, when I saw the twenty two yards pitch at the college ground I was completely psyched. My first ball landed half way on the turf. The rest of the over was no better.

That more or less  ended my sporting career.