Victory at FMS
A remarkable streak of 5 wins(Basketball, Cricket*,Football*,Chess, Throw ball(W)) out of a possible 8 games set IIM Calcutta perched at the apex of the recently concluded ALTIUS – National Sports Meet conducted by FMS Delhi (Dec 18-20). Held at the Ramjas Sports and Mountaineering Institute in Delhi, the event also saw participation from top B schools like SP Jain (Mumbai), MDI, IMI and hosts FMS.
One step into the stadium and your mind was magically transported into a simpler time where sports and glory were all that mattered. Almost like in the days of childhood, where all one cared about was to be the fastest bowler, the dashing goal scorer; the best of the best whatever be the sport. Where victory meant glory, where sport was played for the love of sport, and not to impress the fair maiden.
This article showcases two instances of sporting excellence etched in my memory.
Rearguard Chivalry (Football)
The match against MDI was a must win game in order to advance to the finals. MDI being the local team (and the slightly more in-form team) kicked the game off on an attacking note. This note opened up what became a symphony of attacking football that would make IIM C’s exit only a matter of time. However, cometh the hour cometh the man – Captain Rakesh Pai beefed up the midfield and commanded a sterling performance from the defence. The defence resembled a scene from a war movie, braving attack after attack, determined to hold out till the very end.
Dusk brought with it the crescendo of a penalty shootout. 5 valiant men stepped up from each team. Seasoned penalty taker Akshat Patil (who put in a defensive masterclass) graciously let the juniors take centre-stage. Â The determination to win shone bright, the calmness uncanny. The battle was won when goalkeeper Abhishek Singh saved a penalty and converted the final penalty to bring the MDI army to its knees.
Domination (Basketball)
If the previous one was a tale of determined defiance, the basketball campaign screamed of unabashed brilliance. Given that the team was not at full strength, the domination that it displayed was simply a joy to behold. In the words of the rambunctious rajah of the rebound – Anurag Nair –  “We were playing at a level higher than their reach. We shifted into a gear that they didn’t know ofâ€. Needless to say, Nair individually scored higher than the total points that the opponents scored in every match. Ardent sledging was replaced by meek murmurs of consolation.
It was unfortunate that Badminton and athletics could not be accommodated into the schedule though.  However, the FMS test doesn’t fall shy of drawing the gambit for the upcoming ABCL meet. To our opponents : The die has been cast. The gauntlet has been thrown, you have been warned
*Joint Winners                                                                                                                                                                                  For JokaTimes,
Gregory Ipe
Updated Results :
1)Mohit Bharti – 1st 800 m
2)Akshat A. Patil – 2nd Discus Throw, 3rd Shotput
3)Avantika Tomar – 2nd 400m
4)Nikhil Singh – 3rd Javelin Throw
5)Shashank Bajaj – 1st Online Gaming (Fifa’08)
6)Ankit Kapoor – 1st Online Gaming(AOE)
7)IIM Calcutta also swept the carrom (both Men’s and Women’s)Â with Mohd. Kashif and Rohit Mehta winning their singles games easily. Bhavna Gaule played an epic game to win her maiden carrom crown.
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Cool stuff- Congrats to the entire team! And all the best for the ABCL meet!!
December 25th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Awesome show Nair!!!!!!!!
December 26th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
u forgot carrom….
December 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Good stuff Nair…
December 28th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Well,the scale of the win is a bit understated in the article above….we actually won the carrom(men & women both!) event as well…
December 28th, 2009 at 9:40 am
@Nair – we need to talk
)
December 28th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
@Kashif,Rohit – have updated the results.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Cool Camel