Page 128 - DAIS Insignia 2020-21

BASKETBALL SWIMMING

I believe physical fitness is The year 2020 put the brakes on each and every
necessary for everyone single athlete's dream. Changing their
especially in trying times like perspective physically, mentally and
these. As soon as the emotionally.
lockdown began, our school It was March 12th, 2020, when I got the news
helped all our sportsmen with that swimming pools had to be shut down and
their training to ensure a would remain shut until further notice.
certain level of fitness. To Although I was quite happy in the beginning,
maintain and keep track of the feeling soon wore off eventually, leading to
this training we used the me not wanting to get out of bed anymore.
Teambuildr app. This was a This period really affected my mental health,
great idea as we were able to making me unable to concentrate at school and
follow the exercise routines losing touch with those close to me. There were
and also track our progress. even times where I did not have the will to
The basketball team was also workout at home and thought this was the end
given some sport specific of my swimming career and that I would never
exercises that took into get back.
consideration that some They say, “You don't know what you love until
people did not have access to you have lost it.” 2020 made me realise how
a hoop. This was good as it much I loved to swim and how important it is to
gave structure to people for During the past year, I have been using the Teambuildr app to improve my fitness. I follow the IGCSE weight me. If I wanted to continue swimming, I needed
their home training and also training programme which has been integrated seamlessly onto the app. It is very easy to follow and gives a good to remain fit, so that I could bounce back as
attempted to keep the sport indication of pacing as well as video demonstrations. I have also been working on some skills in relation to soon as pools re-opened. So, I pushed myself,
specific skills at the highest basketball, doing solo drills and practicing by myself, and, when safe, playing with some friends. The Teambuildr despite knowing that I may not even see a pool in the next 6 months, I still did it. I realised that you only have control over the effort you put in, the
level during these unusual app also allows me to focus on basketball-specific drills, which is very useful. Learning physical education also gives outcome is never in our hands. This felt like an epiphany for me, and I placed my trust in serendipity.
circumstances. me the opportunity to figure out which exercises and routines are optimal for an athlete who is playing basketball November 11th, 2020 was when I finally got to jump back into the pool. Getting back in form was harder than I imagined, but with time and patience, I
and doing weight training. This gives me the ability to decide which days to do extra training, such as running, to
Shay Khanchandani got better. By March 2021, I participated in the National Invitational Meet at Bangalore. I gave it my all, and took part in 3 back-to-back event in one
exercise other muscle groups. Ms. Loveena posts videos of basketball drills which are very helpful in improving our day. I won in the 200 metres freestyle category but was not too happy with the result, however, was grateful for the opportunity. I was closer to my best
technical skills and staying motivated. The Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA 12-week programme, which is held on timing in the 100 meters butterfly and 100 meters freestyle even though I did not win, which felt like a big pat on the back for all my hard work through
Saturdays, is also useful for skill improvement. Overall, this period has been very beneficial in improving my fitness, the year.
as well as my specific skills.
The experience was quite a journey, it all happened so fast, but I have no regrets. The nine-month break made me mentally tougher. I had changed as a
Kabir Parekh person having rebuilt my drive, mind-set and dedication to persevere. It was a slow process but with the support of my family, my coach and my close friends;
it was something I would never forget.
As we could not go to school and practice basketball on the court due Kiara Bangera
to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we had basketball core sessions online.
Ms Loveena was leading the sessions, and we did basketball skills and Kareena Shankta of Grade 11 was a speaker at the
drills along with fitness exercises. The fitness exercises helped us TEDxPowai event held on April 11, 2021. Her talk titled
improve our strength for the basketball team. Ms Loveena also sent us "The Deep Dive" was centred around the indefatigable
many YouTube videos of workouts and other drills, which we could do role of mental strength in her life and through her journey
at home, which we appreciated immensely. Ms made many children of swimming. The theme for the event was the IKIGAI
lead exercises which increased our confidence and strength. We also EFFECT- The Myriad Mission, a sneak peek into one's
did creative activities that consisted of combinations of many drills, and mission of life. Kareena was the youngest speaker who
showed them to the class. I never thought that online basketball had an enthralling narration to share amongst inspiring
practise sessions could be as exciting and energetic as these! These stories, exclusively selected for this virtual event. The
online practise sessions keep us in touch with the sport, helping us keep official website of the event is http://tedxpowai.com/ and
in touch with our skills so that we can play basketball with much more has been curated to be uploaded on the TEDxPowai
ease when physical school reopens. YouTube a channel.
Vihaan Dadbhawala

I vividly remember the days I used to race my friends to the court
and shoot baskets. There were just a few days left for 4th Grade
and I was looking forward to basketball in 5th Grade but, the EQUESTRIAN
Covid-19 Pandemic changed everything. We have since been
doing basketball and morning practice remotely.
The tournaments during this year have been
We start our sessions with improving our skills of dribbling, extremely different because of the pandemic and
passing and shooting. Ms Loveena shows us short videos and there have not been many opportunities to compete.
demonstrates several skills for us. Ms additionally assigns However, in November 2020, I competed in the FEI
captains who lead warm up, fitness and ball exercises. My category C and stood 6th in India and 14th
favourite activity is when we choose a partner and challenge worldwide. It was relatively tough to get back to
them to any exercise of our choice. Ms ensures that we stay normal after the lockdown, and I feel that the
physically fit and up to date with our skills. workout program at school
I am waiting for the day when I can race my friends to the court has really helped me to
and score baskets at school grounds once again. improve on myself, both
mentally and physically.
Kavya Mangal
Arjun Kanoi
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