( Mumbai Chapter Launch Awareness Run – August 29, 2010)
When it rains, it pours ... Quite literally so it was at the CLEAN SPORTS INDIA "Awareness Rally" in Mumbai this morning in terms of sports glamour, participation as well as the heavens above.
As thespian Tom Alter introduced one participating star after another from our nation's sporting firmament, it was clear to the 350 odd participants who braved the inclement weather that CLEAN SPORTS INDIA's Mumbai Chapter meant serious business.
The grandstand included Chess GrandMaster Pravin Thipsay, Equestrian Champ BVP Rao, Athletes Vandana Rao, Reet Abraham and Savio D'souza, Marathoner Sathyabama, Swimmer Pallavi Shetty, Table Tennis virtuosos husband and wife duo Kamlesh Mehta and Mona Lisa, Badminton exponent Leroy D'Sa, revered Indian Hockey Captain MM Somaiya and his compatriot from the world of women's hockey Sybil Miranda and bollywood star Rajat Barmecha.
In his inaugural address, CLEAN SPORTS INDIA National Convener, BVP Rao came out strongly against the face of Indian Sport turned tyrant, Suresh Kalmadi and his coterie, whose negative doings in Indian Sport called for a total re-haul of the system, wherein Sportspersons of caliber needed to take charge, they being closer to the pulse of our budding young sportspeople. After very encouraging launches of the CLEAN SPORTS movement in Delhi and Bangalore, the response in Mumbai, he said was over-whelming.
The Awareness Rally witnessed representation from across Mumbai, allowing for participation from all age groups. Vandana Rao and Pravin Thipsay led the 350+ strong group across 4 kms to and fro NCPA, all enthusiastic in their bid to drive home a point for Sports cleansed of political manipulation and rid of performance enhancing substance abuse. The Mumbai Chapter team, Vandana Rao, Tom Alter, Pravin Thipsay, Sybil Miranda, Lenny Sampey and myself are glad that the first step towards this goal had been successfully taken and we are sure that the positive vibes we have received throughout the mega polis of Mumbai will not let things lie, but take them to their logical end. Thanks to all whose efforts encouraged us and especially to the YMCA International for all their unstinting support.
[top left] PRAVIN THIPSAY, TOM ALTER, BVP RAO, LENNY SAMPEY, myself,
[bot left] VANDANA RAO, SYBIL MIRANDA, REETH ABRAHAM
[bot left] VANDANA RAO, SYBIL MIRANDA, REETH ABRAHAM
