For beach volleyball you don't have to be tall or fast as in other sports. You just need to have the skills. This was evident when the semifinals and final matches of beach sports of Khel Maha Kumbh were held at the Sabarmati Riverfront on Thursday.
So what about the glamour that is associated with beach volleyball? The enthusiasm and energy level was so high that the absence of the glamour wasn't felt at all.
It wasn't easy for Parikshit Ichchhaporia, coach of Surat team, when his students insisted on participation. "When we talk about this sport, the first thing that comes to our mind is the clothes we have to wear. Many players raised questions about the dress code. I made them understand that it won't be a ‘two-piece event'," said the 32-year-old coach, referring to skimpily dressed women playing pro volleyball at beaches around the world.
Even after getting the green signal from college authorities and parents, the path wasn't smooth for Ichchhaporia. He had seven pairs from which he had to select one. "We had regular trials and practice sessions. Co-ordination between players was very essential. Stamina becomes a very important element, because it isn't easy to play on sand. You need powerful arms to serve and pass. You need to score maximum points on serve as you can't afford to rely on passing. So out of seven pairs, I selected Sapna Rai and Sindha Hilpa," he said.
Unfortunately, his girls went down to Porbanader in an exciting three-game encounter. They lost to the pair of Devika Solanki and Shivani Jethwa. "It was very thrilling. I am happy to be part of this event, which has given me good exposure. I wish this tournament is played on a regular basis and there is mass participation," said Devika. Echoing similar sentiments was Sapna Rai. The Surti has been playing volleyball for past three years. "I started playing when I entered college. When I expressed my desire to participate, my parents were okay with it. Today it was fun. I would like to see this game progress in our state," said the 20-year-old Udhna College student.