Football- Subroto Cup 2015 (Activity)

I participated in a state level Football tournament on 8th and 9th of September 2015. This is a very elite International tournament and we got into the second round (after district level) of the qualifying stage. We have been winning the state level for 2 years and this could have been our third consecutive year, but we lost.

We played well in our positions till the semi-finals and then switched positions in the finals. I played right wing in the first half and then changed to centre defense in the second. This was not a new skill, but it was definitely a new experience. I have never crossed the midfield line.

I have already learnt a lot of attributes, like cooperation and patience, from Football, but this tournament taught me to stay calm in the most hyper situations. The tournament was delayed and later we were called on a very short notice, moreover the ground was not satisfactory. This taught me a very simple lesson that “not everything is in one’s favour”.

We had many young players and players who don’t play Football very often. This tournament gave them experience and also motivated a few, like me, to continue rigorous practice. This Football tournament, like every other, got the teammates more closer to each other. The pressure of the game forced me to take unwanted decisions like scolding a team member for a very small mistake or substituting them without thinking much, but after the game, the team got back to normal and sat together for all the meals.

Losing this tournament was very hard on us, but we got immense support from each other and our coach. I wish we had won again and represented our state in the International tournament.