I remember first hearing about her two years ago when she won AISTA Senior National Ranking Tennis Tournament in 2018 for the 35 + age category. She was runners up at the same championship in 2019 also. She was not only the winner at the age of 47 but also champion because she defeated and surpassed numerous hurdles. I think that her inspiring story of perseverance is a lesson for us all. My favorite real-life hero is Kashish Satwani. She is not famous and most of you would not have heard her name. She started her sports career, when most of the sportspeople retire, at the age of 38 in 2009.
Here is the excerpts of interview with the inspiring lady.
Winner of 35 and above women category at Shri. Nilkant Pendharkar AISTA Tennis Tournament 2018 held at Practennis Mumbai. DOUBLES WINNER: Kashish Satwani and Neelam Chopra
- Tell us something about your achievement. Especially in the light that we are cricket crazy nation where other sports and achievements do not get the space, they deserve.
I won the AISTA Senior National Ranking Tournament-2018 for age 35+ category (Doubles)
This was when I was 47 yrs. Believe me, this was my first national-level tournament. I had never imagined or thought to achieve something big like this. This was also the first time that such a tournament was organized in the 35+ category age bracket.
- That is an incredible achievement. I know that you never played Tennis during school days. Did you play at college or after marriage? Tell our readers, when did you start and why?
Yes, Anil you rightly said I had never played tennis in school days. Moreover, we had no sports in our college also.
I used to take my kids for tennis coaching and used to sit there and watch them play. During that period we moved from our joint family house to an apartment that was just overlooking the tennis club (From balcony had a view of the courts) where my kids used to practice. Watching my kids play I also thought of playing…. I just thought of jumping from my balcony straight to the courts….there was a strong urge from within.
Let me tell you Anil I had never played any racket game as a child or adult. But after becoming the mother of two, this journey of tennis began. Now it has become a part of my daily routine…the day I don’t play I feel something important missing.
- It must have been a very challenging journey. Can you please elaborate on the challenges you came across in getting where you are today?
As a mother, wife, and homemaker I definitely had to manage time and priority. But I managed time for my new found passion and never compromised. My entire family including my husband and father in law were very supportive and positive.
Since I had never played such an energy game ever, had to struggle initially. I use to get exhausted soon. Had to put a lot of effort and power in the game to keep going. When I started hardly any females were playing on the courts and I had to play with members who were old players and had a decent game. To play with them a lot of strength and patience were required but yes over the period achieved a respectful game. The passion for sports kept me on the court and I kept moving my racket faster and hitting the ball harder and harder.
- How do you achieve balance between home, family, friends and sport.
Like I said earlier my family and friends supported me and it made it easy for me to achieve balance. I use to make sure that no one was affected due to my tennis lessons so just tried to fulfill all morning requirements of the kids and family before leaving for the tennis sessions.
- What motivates you to get up in the morning and go training everyday especially as a mother of two teenage kids.
Honestly, no one motivated me for pursuing the sport, it was the inner driving force that helped me to move on.
- Who helped you most during/before you decided to take up the sport and compete?
One of the senior members of the club Sharma Uncle gave the initial coaching to both of us in addition to this coaches of tennis club Irfaan and Iqbal sir also helped in refining the shorts and improving the service and game.
For participating in the competition it was Neelam Chopra who pushed me. Both of us started playing under similar conditions at the club. She convinced me to participate in this tournament. It was a wonderful experience- packing, journey, and playing the grand finale before this I used to pack for my kids Krishna and Arjun for the tournaments ….it was the first time when I was packing for my myself with a lot of excitement and yes little of nervousness but we both were very positive and had strong determination to give our best. I would like to mention that our category was 35+, so we were competing against much younger, more energetic, and professional players too. But that is what competition stands for. It was teamwork and a hard attempt from both of us which helped us to achieve this Title.
Both of us rejoiced with the winning of the Doubles Title. It was great news for our family and friends. News along with our pictures with trophies on the first page of all the newspapers of Indore was just incredible.
- In recent years, sports and health awareness has improved in the urban area. Few movies have also been made on sportswomen and their achievements. What message would you like to give to young mothers who may like to take challenges like you?
The message for young mothers is … if you wish to get into sports you can. Age is no bar… nothing can stop you and yes with sincere efforts and dedication you can really give a quick start and get going.
If there is will there comes a way too. You just need to begin….
- During the present COVID pandemic, how do you handle stress and pressure? Were you able to continue training during the pandemic?
During COVID times the club was closed and so there was no practice. I was going for morning walks and did yoga a few days in a week, as such was not taking to much pressure during the pandemic times. Now the club is open and I am back to routine.
- Today teenagers spend more and more time online and glued to screen. What advice you would like to give to young teenagers as a mother of two yourself.
My message to the young generation that they should also get into some physical activity, some sports instead of gluing to T.V, laptops and mobiles all the time. The benefits of sports are not hidden. You feel refreshed and energetic and it certainly reduces stress and anxiety.
- Are you preparing for any future competition? What are your future goals?
As such not preparing for any tournaments for now… was off courts for almost for 5-6 months due to COVID but the practice is on now … definitely would like to participate in coming competitions once the situation normalizes.
When the going gets tough… the tough get going… may I continue to play with the same zeal in the future and nothing stops me.
She believed she could, so she did.
Be the kind of woman that makes other woman want to up their game.
Good luck and best wishes.
