Super Sunday with Arjuna Awardee Shobha Narayan

 

            (Shobha Narayan(Arjuna Awardee))

She was awarded with Arjuna award for her meritious performance and superiority in the game of Kho-Kho.She believes in hard work and did practise individually on daily basis .She didnot had enough money to buy cycle and reach ground on time but she ran daily through feet to reach ground for practise. 

Mr.Kalappa trained her and nurture the talent of Bangalore to achieve the landmark in the field of  Kho-Kho. She didnot knew about Arjuna Award and didnot even think in her life that she achieve this prestigious award. Her coach applied on behalf of her so that she would be awarded and 10 Gold in 10 nationals and consistent performance throughout her career was the main reason to be awarded with prestigious Award in 1998.

Sunday Kho-Kho Series through Voice of International Player is trying to put actuality and unknown stories of KhoKho players among people across the world by reaching every niche and nook across India and World.

Ms.Neha Duggal Columnist caught up with 

Ms.Shobha Narayan of Bangalore in a sole conversation as she cast off a whiff on Kho-Kho. Shobha Narayan is currently running a Business in Bangalore as Hindustan Petroleum offered her to run agency for her meritious performance She gives her vital time to us to make our steps close to our goal to make Kho-Kho Top Game of World. Thanks and Congratulations to Ms.Shobha Narayan (Arjuna Awardee)for all such prestigious Awards and sharing her experiences, suggestions and views so that people across the world will know Kho-Kho Voices.

Q1. What's your achievements and awards?

Ans: Awards

• Arjuna award by Govt. of India (1999)

• Ekalavya award by Govt. of Karnataka (1997)

• Rani Laxmi Bai award by KKFI (1999)

• Onake Obavva [senior south zone award] (1992)

• Kempegowda award by Govt. of Karnataka (2008)

Achievements:

• SAF Games Chennai Demo match (1995)

• National games:

> 1994 Pune - Silver

> 1997 Bangalore - Gold

> 2000 Manipur - Gold

• Senior nationals - 10 Gold (1991-2001)

• Open nationals > 1-Silver, 6-Gold

• Senior south zone 10- Gold

• 2 All India University qualified, 1- Bronze

• Junior South zone 1- Gold

Q2. In which position you play and any changes in your defence Positions?

Ans: In 1991 at Bhadeshwar Nationals that was my first national, I played at 3rd batch in the start of the tournament but later on in the tournament I played at 2nd Batch and thereafter in next nationals I improve my place and played at 1st batch.

Q3. Any Moments that players from other state fears from you?

Ans: In 2000 after Kolkatta nationals we came to Punjab for Women Nationals that time we had to face Punjab and Punjab team was a good team that time but players from Punjab were discussing and they had little fear that Shobha and Saraswathi were in the team.

Q4. What inspires you to start Kho-Kho?

Ans: It was a strong belief among our peers and coaches at school that Kho-Kho is the mother of all sports, I was strongly influenced by this opinion which attracted me to play Kho-Kho. My journey started as such and still looking forward to contributing something more to my country through Kho-kho.

Q5. What according to you to be done to raise Kho-Kho?

Ans: Several things could be done to raise Kho-Kho

•Creating awareness among youngsters to play Kho-Kho.

•Providing job opportunities through government support.

•Reaching and bringing together people to provide them with a way of exhibiting their talent and interests.

Q6. What is the name of your club when you joined it?

Ans: B.E.L Colony Youth Association (BCYA)

Q7. Before Arjuna and After Arjuna what's the difference?

Ans: Receiving Arjuna award itself was a boon to my career as a sportsperson, 

• I was recognized by the country, which made way to spread my contribution to my sport, people started recognizing me through which I could motivate more people to contribute to our country.

• Through recognition among clubs and organisations all over the country, the government also offered me to own and run a gas agency.

• Students all over the state get the opportunity to know my story through their syllabus.

• Many people who've come across my story have been inspired and motivated to contribute to our country through sports, it's a great pleasure to learn that I've been an inspiration to many.

Q8. Any match memories which stills remain in your mind.

Ans: I think all the matches from 1st National's to last National's I got memorable moments and I can explain each and every match. 

Q9. At your time Karnataka was a Gold medalist team but now Karnataka performance is degrading what is the reason?

Ans: I think lack of opportunities, no jobs for Kho-Kho, very less competition.

Q10. Whom you credit Arjuna award?

Ans: My Coach Kalappa. My parent's & sisters.My state secretary Raja Gopal Sir and all my team members.

Also Read : Vandhana Kho-Kho Star

Q11. Arjuna awards after 22 years are given again? What you think why there is a large gap that Kho-Kho is away from such a prestigious award?

Ans: Sports ministry has changed their rules they included 3 international representations. Maybe because of that, there is a long gap. Hope we will get every year from now onwards.

Q12. How can you contribute in your busy life to Kho-Kho?

Ans: From 2002 to 2010 was working as a coach in Karnataka sports council. But now because of my, business, it's quite difficult. Hope in future will be able to work as a coach.

Q13. Any major performances You tell me as you have lots of top performance.

Ans. In 1992, Sr. Nationals at Bangalore in Finals I played 3 minutes for Karnataka to clinch the gold.

In 1997, Sr.National at Bangalore we played against MadhyaBharat in SemiFinals, I played for 2.5 minutes in 1st innings and I was scolded by coaches to perform more otherwise we lost the match so in second inning I played for 6.5 minutes.

Q14. In your last nationals as I heard you are in retirement mode and not interested to play as you are interested to leave Kho-Kho as a player but Karnataka want to make a benchmark of 10 golds?

Ans. Yes, of course, me, Saraswathi and Vandana are requested to play for Karnataka in Baramati Nationals as we are not in good practice. During Quarterfinals against Punjab, Natrajan Sir our national coach said that Players from Punjab were saying that Shobha was not up to the mark. These words from him build fuel in me to perform and Our team clinched the gold.

Q15. As I heard that Natrajan Sir knows how to get maximum output from a player. Is it true?

Ans. Yes, He knows very well what to do and know which nerve is to be pressed so that player can give it's 100 per cent. He is very much expert and proves it.

Also Read:Kho-Kho Icon Mr.Narendar Shah

Q16. What's your strategy in Nationals?

Ans. I usually play during quarterfinal, semifinal and final match and before it, I just adjust myself in the ground and also we watch closely the matches of the opponent team from pre-quarter-final stages to higher stages.

Q17. What difference do you saw in grounds of North India and South India?

Ans. As in South we play in Red soil and it's easy for us to perform better but in the North, there is black soil and drops our endurance level in the match. Its little difficult for us to adjust. But with time and situation, we get adjusted in every type of grounds.

Also Read : Backbone of Karnataka G.Saraswathi

Q18. As you did lots of warmup before the match and even some coaches also ask you to do little warmup any comments from your side.

Ans. Yes Before the match I usually did 20-25 minutes warmup and did not enter into match ground until got satisfied with my warmup.Some coaches always denied me to lessen the warmup timing otherwise it affects your performance in the match but SAI Coach Mr.Sujay Kumar backed me always and told other coaches that she knew very well how much time she had to give to warm up and how to perform well.

        Featured Columnist Neha Duggal(India)

Coordinated by:

Pankaj Malhotra( India)

(Voice of International Player)

Supported By:

 Anuj Khajuria(North Carolina, U.S.A)

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