Stadium diary - U Mumba captain Anup Kumar
U Mumba captain and star raider, Anup Kumar had a relieved look on his face as I congratulated him on his team’s maiden victory against defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers. As the post match press conference is about to end, I leave the media room and stroll around the restricted zone, trying to spot some interesting characters. I walk towards the VIP zone boundary and notice Anup standing and watching Bengaluru and Bengal fighting it out on the court.
I end up standing near him and watch the intriguing match unfold. A security personnel informs me that I am not allowed to stand there. I flashed my Media card courteously and he just let me be. One of the many perks of being a sports journalist. Seconds later, three members of the organizing team request Anup to get back to the dressing room.
There is business to discuss; there are people he needs to meet. “Now now, I must watch this match at least till half time,” Anup informs his team.
A couple of minutes’ later, an attractive girl in her twenties shouts vociferously “Anup! Please can I click a picture with you?” Anup doesn’t look back; he waves and says “two minutes”. Understandably so.
He is busy signaling some important pointers to Bengaluru Bulls captain, Manjeet Chhillar from the sidelines. He keeps his promise and clicks a picture with the star-struck fan.
Some seconds later, another female comes up to me and asks, “Is he a Kabaddi player?” I told her, “One of the best in the world”. Impressed by Anup’s credentials, she too ends up clicking a picture with India’s star raider.
For Anup and his team to maintain their form and consistency, they have no room to get distracted by the blinding lights that his team has been thrust under. He looks focused as ever, as his team aim to go one notch higher and win the tournament this year.
As half time between Bengal and Bengaluru approaches, one member from U Mumba’s management team congratulates Anup on his team’s victory and praises him for his effort.
Anup, being the modest man that he is, replies, “Jeeva (defender) played an amazing match today. He saved us”.
Its 9.45 pm and Anup Kumar has left the building.