Teaching to win game of their lives

NEW DELHI: The 13-year-old has a clear goal in mind – finish schooling, then pursue higher education and finally turn his attention to cricket. “I want to be a cricketer,” says young Badal determinedly. His father and mother look on proudly. “Ever since he became involved in the Magic Bus programme, he’s stopped skipping school and become more focused on his future,” said the mother on Thursday afternoon at a slum in Govindpuri.

That’s the impact of this non-profit organisation dedicated to bring a change in the lives of children and youth from marginalised backgrounds with the help of sports. And with the Wimbledon Foundation joining hands for a year in a pilot scheme, the aim is also to introduce tennis in the grassroots level where 2000 children will get an opportunity to learn the sport as well as get the chance for overall development whereby one can learn to earn a livelihood.

A DIFFERENCE “It’s about making a difference,” is how Paul Hutchins, tournament director of the Road to Wimbledon, puts it. “We are helping with equipment, money and coaching (at DLTA for youth mentors of the programme).”

As afternoon gives way to evening, youth mentors from Magic Bus help the children get ready for an hour of play, which in turn will impart education in health and hygiene at the DDA park. Mini racquets aptly named ‘succeed’ are laid out on the ground as children line up facing each other. They try to rally without having the ball touch them.

“It’s about the metaphor. As the kids swing the racquet to try and hit the tennis ball, we are trying to get them to understand the basics of hygiene. The ball is equivalent to germs and how by swinging the racquet they are driving away infection,” Jaideep Bhatia from Magic Bus explains. The organisation is also building two clay tennis courts in two government schools in the city, Bhatia informs.

The shouts of ‘Sania Mirza’ fill the air. That’s the name of the player the children know of. “I don’t remember his name but he has long hair and wears a bandana,” says another. Is he talking about a young Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal? Maybe, India can even find their elusive singles superstar thanks to this collaboration. Well, all one needs is a chance.