A ha. We successfully organized the Matunga gymkhana open
swim meet. A grand success by any measure and people came on congratulating us.
It was an experience like none before in any meet of any kind in the city. The
people were mesmerized and couldn’t stop talking about it. The swimming department
now walks with a little extra bounce in their steps. But when you coldly step back
and look at it, what was it actually that made it so big. The swimming pool on
the day belonsg to the officials. At every meet you have the same commentator,
the same officials and the same events. Ours was also the same. But the
difference lied in the packaging. There were large banners outside welcoming
the participants and at the entrance was the clincher – the greeters. Borrowed
from a bit from Walmart and a bit from the Singapore immigration authorities.
At Walmart you have greeters when you come in to shop. At most other immigration
checks they give you a cold stare, but at Singapore there is a bowl of fox
sweets greeting you. In line with that we had apples and bananas awaiting all
participants. So at the entrance a team was waiting with the fruits. In addition
we gave them a folder with the schedule. And if that was not enough we also
gave them two iron rich bars which we bought from an NGO. So that just shook
them out. We then put enough cut outs around the place and just before the swimming
pool a huge massive 36X6 banner greeted them. All these were of course done in
corporate style with amazing visuals. With so much stimulation at the start, I left
very little at the main pool area. That was taken over by the sponsors. We also
gave space to a pro shop, a free stall for the isotonic drink guys to freely
sample their products and some other stuff.
For those expecting a boring placid swim meet were
completely shocked. There was shade all around with the pandals being erected
and fans installed. I was rather amused by the reactions of the people. I thought
this was par for the course. This stuff is simple. Like the checkerboard
backdrop against the winner’s podium got a lot of comments and people thought
it was really cool and ‘IPL style’.
I can still think of a million different things that I want
changed from next time around. I want a different way to submit entries. I want
to email stuff and want IDs, I want to have a better registration, I want
better side games for the kids, I want a relaxing lounge, I want a winners
picture booth, I want flowers for the
winners, I want better food stalls selling better food and drink for the
champions, I want better invites, etc etc… a lot is still left to be done. The dream
is to have a small souvenir shop for the event as well, selling high quality
merchandise branded – the Matunga Gymkhana Open Swim Meet. That will be so
bloody cool. That’s when the brand will be really built.
Ah well. I am a dreamer. But only if you can dream it can
you possibly do it. Dream on. There are so many things to be done at this meet.
Next year I am definitely going to ask for a bigger budget. I will have a
better campaign to bring in the entries and hype the bloody thing before the
event. I want to run it in style. Raise the bar so much that people have no
clue what to expect next. I want to make it really really BIG.
But while I am talking about the event… I too took part in
one race. The under 40 men’s freestyle. In my time trial I dived in and swam
really fast. I reached the other side and turned. Not knowing the tumble turn I
wasted precious seconds. While coming back I was tiring and slowing down. I hadn’t
eaten well and the energy was sapping. I emerged second best by a small margin.
I then heard the commentator explaining that I messed up the turn and lost
there. I saw the video and everybody also told me – I was leading till the
turn. My daughter was at the finish line waiting for me. She greeted me and
took the time from the officials. She told me – not bad –“you did 37 seconds. You
did two seconds better than your last time”. She was doing a Jaimit to me. Okies.
I always wanted to learn the tumble turn. But I tried it
once and the water just rushed into my brain. I hated it. Jispa kept telling me
to learn but I just couldn’t try. Now I have additional incentive. My knees
have robbed me of my running victories but I guess I found another race. Tumble
turn it is then. To learn the tumble turn and to push myself hard. Jispa keeps telling me to learn but because I have
the power in the equation I am unable to push myself. If the roles were
reversed I would have harassed her, but the poor thing can’t do that to me. I must
set that example and do it. I must learn the tumble turn. It’s not just about the
turn but it also my duty as a parent to show that I can do it. It an example.
