Bandra boy makes comeback through WSH

There were two things,according to him,that went through his mind after hearing about the offer – whether the big bosses at OGQ would allow such a venture and if he would be able to get back to full fitness in a short span of time. As for the former,Rasquinha plans to continue his duties as the CEO whilst gunning for the WSH title with which ever team he is drafted in. He and his board members – comprising of the the likes of Leander Paes,Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone – feel that this will be an inspiration more than a distraction to the his athletes,putting forth a motivating example of competitiveness at the highest level. As far as his fitness levels are concerned,the process is on and the former Indian captain feels confident of making a full come-back. “Once I set my mind to something,I achieve it with fierce determination,” he said,with his achievements in sport and academics – an MBA from the Indian School of Business and an Arjuna Award – being testament to his statement.

After a six year hockey career that boasted of a silver medal at the Asian Games in 2002,a gold medal at the Asia Cup in 2003,and his legendary diving tackles that saved many-a-goal for his country,Rasquinha had no qualms about retiring at the unusually early age of 27. “I had just lost the motivation to play. There was nothing that challenged me anymore and with the way things have turned out I have absolutely no regrets with that decision,” he said. The renewed motivation and promise of playing at the top level offered by the WSH,brought back the lost enthusiasm and Rasquinha is licking his lips at the prospect of doing so. “I was into time-pass training and played some low-level hockey tournaments in the interim. But I have stepped up my training for the WSH and I am looking forward to December,” he said.

Rasquinha cannot really differentiate between the board meetings and the team meetings. Both according to him have their highs and excite him equally. For now,however,the Bandra Boy will have to get back into the groove of the team meetings,and he is hoping against hope that they will be meetings for the Mumbai team.