Sporting Spirit

Santosh Tyagi (l) makes her entry

Two months after a critical knee replacement surgery (on both legs), Santosh Tyagi made a surprise appearance in the Garden, leaning heavily on a walking stick. She was under the impression that it was Sports Day today. Or so we would like to believe.
“Never mind, I will try to come tomorrow,” she said.

Everybody is overjoyed on meeting Santosh

“I may not be able to participate but I will surely cheer you all. With these legs, I do not want to take the risk of running. I might fall. After the knee operation, I am yet to muster the courage of moving about without a walking stick.”
When told that only two of the five events involve running, Santosh’s face brightened. In an unexpected display of sporting spirit, she insisted on running the Spoon Race, but “with the walking stick”. She said she had played these games in her childhood.
If Santosh was looking forward to an action-replay tomorrow, Karun Sharma, in another expression

Karun Sharma

of sportsman spirit, informed that in case he wins in one or two events, he will not compete for another prize. “I may take part, but I will not take the cup should I win again,” he clarified.
Now, Karun happens to be a university-level sports champion, having amassed countless trophies, mainly in tennis and badminton. Sport is in his blood. He also realises that he enjoys an advantage over many who are not as physically fit and that they too deserve a chance.
Needless to state, Karun Sharma’s gesture was widely welcomed. Everyone agreed that rather than monopolising the awards by one or two individuals, it would be better to have a level playing field in order to sustain interest and the competitive spirit of all participants.
However, it was made clear that a decision to take part or to refrain from claiming a prize, etc. has to be entirely voluntary. There can be no compulsion in this regard. Sports Day is an annual event open to every member of the Club and any restriction in any form on anybody shall defeat its very purpose.