By Kiran Patel
Central Zone Coordinator
Religion and sports are seen to be strong influences in inspiring young individuals in society to be successful. This has been seen by the London 2012 Olympic Games organisers acknowledging the need of a multi-faith centre for inclusion and diversity and by giving Hinduism representation. As the London 2012 games embark upon us, many will be making their way down to sporting venues across the country to see some of the greatest sporting heroes in modern day. These sports personalities once started off somewhere small, somewhere like a sports centre, winning medals and trophies on a local or even national scale. Similarly, Hindu students have been given this opportunity on Saturday 18th February 2012.
The day will see Hindu students from across the UK endeavour to be crowned champions at the National Hindu Students Forum (UK) Annual National Sports Competition in Tipton. The competition which may be seen as one of the biggest events of the NHSF (UK) calendar will be brought to the West Midlands for the first time, having being hosted at Loughborough University in the past. With 37 chapters taking part, as well as sixth form teams, this year is set to be the biggest yet with the tournament growing, the move allows more teams to enter and new sports to be added to the day.
With the continuation of the modern sports, football, netball and cricket, as well as the traditional sports, kabaddi and kho kho, the competition sees a new introduction this year; badminton will be played as a mixed-doubles sport where teamwork is crucial. In addition, the annual NatCom AllStars kabaddi match with the chapter that has carried out the most amount of sewa activities throughout the year will be one to watch.
Hindu Dharma suggests one requires a healthy body as well as a healthy mind in order to function; therefore the sports competition promotes a healthy lifestyle for all who participate. Learning and sewa are also key areas in Hindu Dharma which have thrived with some brilliant ideas being implemented at the National sports competition in previous years such as Shiv Pujas and book sales to complement the wider work theat NHSF (UK) conducts.
It is believed that to succeed, you need something to hold on to, something to motivate you and something to inspire you. With the 20th anniversary being named ‘Arise Arjuna’, all players should be as focused as Arjuna was when Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravs brought together his pupils to see how focused they were. They were asked to pick up their bow and arrows and aim at the eye of a bird perched high up on the branch of a tree. With some great archers amongst the royal children seeing the bird, many became anxious to be called up, however, those called up saw other things amongst the small bird, and therefore the Guru told them to take a step back. Arjuna, the Pandava prince was called upon who said that all he saw was the bird’s eye – nothing but the target. Therefore, concentration is required to be successful and confident. This only comes through practice, and with many chapters doing weekly sports practices, to get this far itself is an achievement.
Challenge yourself, inspire yourself. Step forward to attend the NHSF (UK) National Sports Competition with your affiliated chapter if you have what it takes to be crowned champion amongst some of the strongest teams seen in recent years. Equally, sit on the side line to cheer on your teams to victory amongst the masses. For more information on the event, please email sportscomp@nhsf.org.uk.