The Hindu : Backroom boys a tired but happy lot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Backroom boys a tired but happy lot

By Our Staff Rreporter

HYDERABAD Dec. 22. There was absolute silence. No roar of the crowd, no long rallies and no serves that boomed. Only silence interrupted by the flutter of a few birds and the sound of traffic. A few tourists walked in and looked around in awe.

As the curtains came down on the 32nd edition of the National Games here on Sunday, the state-of-the-art stadia in the city, which witnessed high adrenalin action for 10 days turned quiet. They resembled marriage pandals that go silent after the rituals are over and the invitees leave the place.

``Work was hectic, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a small part of the biggest sports meet of the country gave me lots of satisfaction,'' a helping hand at the tennis stadium lounged in the stands said. Indeed, it was this great workforce of backroom boys and girls that made the mega games event what it is, a great spectacle.

The group of groundsmen who ensured the courts were spic and span, the men who worked on the lawns, the workers who kept the stands clean, the young volunteers who ushered in the visitors and played the good host serving the sportspersons with smiles as a permanent fixture on their faces, and the many more faces in the crowd and the cogs in the wheel, they all toiled tirelessly. There were so many of them doing so many jobs and making the visitors feel at home.

Walking out of the Lal Bahadur Stadium after taking some photographs inside, a group of volunteers literally dragged themselves out. "Its sad the games came to an end. We made good friends here and it was a great learning experience,'' a volunteer affirmed.

``Help was always round the corner at all the venues during the games thanks to the huge contingent of volunteers,'' sportspersons and mediapersons involved in the games complimented in chorus. While the eyes were riveted on the athletes breasting the tape, the swimmers touching the finishing point and sportspersons walking away with medals and more medals not to forget lakhs of rupees thanks to Andhra Pradesh's poaching tactics, it was the silent army of these backroom boys who won the laurels and the hearts of everyone. They turned out to be the warmest hosts.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

OU floats proposal for international hostel

Residents urged not to dump garbage in nalas

A touch of Telugu flavour to grand show

Backroom boys a tired but happy lot