31/07/2021
Last Thursday while we ( ) were playing beach volleyball in the morning joined us to play with us. I asked him if he would like to play at smashing position. He said he does not know smashing but can play there.
We started the game and I started boosting for him. To my surprise he was jumping and smashing the ball. My co-player asked him if he had played earlier this game. Although he said no, I told him you seem to have learnt all the 3 techniques (serving, tapping, underarm) and you are no novice. He just laughed it away. Anyway we finished the first game and we won.
While changing over to other side, he stayed back on same side of the court. I requested him to come to other side. But he said he would like to play with loosing side. "Wow good sportsman spirit" - I thought.
He played the complete second game of 25 points and was cheering his side and tracking the score himself. He was doing Hi-Fi with all when his side got points and even for all the dives, defense, attacks which didn't fetch them point. He played very sportingly and made us feel he is one of us. No sign of arrogance at all. That seemed to have made a difference and they WON the second game.
At the end of the two games I requested him to take a group picture with us. Very very sportingly he agreed and we took one group picture. But as a group we decided to give him his privacy and not to put that photo in social media without his permission.
We all love you Akshay! You are true sporty guy !!
- posted by Sushant Panda
