It’s easy to talk about champions; but, to reach that pinnacle, one has to go through struggle and hard grind all the way . One such aspiring table tennis player, Siddhi Kolekar turning 16 next February ,wants to scale heights and try to overcome pitfalls. Here’s she expresses herself about her school/college life and what she is trying to do for future in her sporting career.
Siddhi Kolekar
Excerpts from interview:
Q- 1: You are one of those rare students who excelled both in studies and sports so far. You secured about 90% marks in SSC and you were your school’s top table tennis player. How do you manage so far?
Ans: I always divided time for playing table tennis and studies. But just one month before exams, I concentrated only on studies.
Q-2: In studies, in which subject you are fond of and why?
Ans: Of all the subjects, I am fond of mathematics the most because I like solving problems. And of course, English, because I know I have to be good in English, too, if I have to achieve success in any career.
Q-3: Do you think that Sports can be career in life?
Ans: Yes, sports (table tennis) or any other sport can be a career provided one works hard . You have to devote time and work on physical and mental fitness to achieve your goal.
Q-4: Apart from table tennis, which other sports/game you love to play or watch?
Ans: Actually playing table tennis is my passion for the last five years. I believe it helps me to concentrate in studies as well. But it was volleyball that attracted me first before I started playing table tennis. Being tall, I was selected to play for my school in volleyball team. I always felt quite thrilled to jump high to spike and sometimes diving to return ball. Even now whenever it get chance, I love to play in my college too.
Q-5: Who is your idol in table tennis or sports in general, whom you like to copy?
Ans: If there is one player, whom I would like to copy is India-ranked Maharashtra’s Divya Deshpande, whose style and fitness is just superb. And for coaching I like the way Nilesh Sir (Nilesh Pandirkar) coaches and trains.
Q-6 Other than sports, do you have hobbies like reading, watching movies, TV serials, , listening music or dance?
ANS : In my spare time, whenever possible, I like listening music (mostly Hindi/Marathi) songs. I also like watch TV serials and movies and love dancing too.
Q 7: Your most memorable moments that you cherish during your school life?
Ans: It was during the last year of the my school life, when I was called upon on the stage to light the torch and run around during schools sports day. It was a moment that still tickles me whenever I recollect those moments.
Q-8: Most of the parents hardly encourage their child/children as they want them to be top in studies to become doctors, engineers etc. Do your parents support you?
Ans: My parents are my backbone. Because of their encouragement, I feel more motivated to do well both in sports and studies.
Q–9: Your Ambition in life, especially in table tennis.
Ans: I play in tournaments regularly and hope to represent my district and state at the national level in near future.
Q-10: Other than sports (table tennis) – what would you like to pursue?
Ans: I love table tennis, volleyball and follow sports in general, but I am also fond of IT (information technology). I would like to pursue a career in IT Engineering.