Catch them Young!

Child Prodigies!

"Catch them Young" - This adage is more relevant to those child prodigies who exhibit their innate knowledge and skills at a very young age.

They have excelled in Music (including playing Musical Instruments), Art, Mathematics, Languages, Sports, etc., from a tender age. If their knowledge can be nurtured and channeled in the right direction, it will go a long way toward making them the best in their field as they gradually grow up.

I had an opportunity of listening to my doctor’s 4-year-old son, blabbering out the names of the capital cities (of most countries across the world) and to say the least, I was gobsmacked! This was way back in the late 90s when I was posted in Mumbai.

Child prodigies in the Musical world need no special introduction as we have too many examples, both in the Eastern and Western world.

These days, due to the proliferation of social media and encouragement from the parents and wards of such prodigies, instances of exhibiting their talent have become easier than it was, in the decades gone by.

The context of my writing:

I regularly walk in the park opposite my apartment. There is a badminton court and is frequented by the players of the sports club. On the evening of 24th December last year, my attention was drawn to a small boy around 4 years old, playing with his mother under the floodlights.

The mother was hitting the shuttlecock at a perfect level for the boy to strike it effortlessly, time and time again, without faltering or missing out on his shot. What a sight it was, to behold!

             

Thereafter, I kept seeing them play most evenings despite the lack of artificial lights. The boy’s handling of the racquet and his effortless play lingered on in my mind. I wondered where and how this tiny kid could generate such power to hit the shuttlecock across the net for his mother to reach!

Determined to tell his story in my blog, I approached his mother, introduced myself, and sought her permission to do a story on him. She agreed to it and said her name was Manasa. Her son’s name was Sughosh, and he was 3½ years old.

I was sent a couple of video clippings (I couldn't upload and enable playing of it on this blog due to some technical issues) where Sughosh was playing with his father Sandeep, in the courts of Nova Badminton Academy nearby and mentioned that they take him to this place regularly.  

One evening, I met Sandeep and talked about how they identified Sughosh's talent for this racquet game. He mentioned that they have been bringing him to the park regularly since he was a toddler. There he was, watching the game played by his father and other players with rapt attention. He started handling the racquet as soon as he could hold on to it, and it was then that the parents noticed his prowess.

        

For a boy of his age; where his peers would be very happy playing with slides and swings in the park, this kid is of a different creed! He would still play with slides and swings but after his share of playing badminton. 

One look at him while he plays shows his passion and drive for this sport. Badminton, like any sport, demands unwavering dedication and perseverance and I have no doubt that Sughosh's inner strength and ambition will fuel his reaching the goal of perfection and being the best in this sport. 

 

           

I’m sure Sughosh’s parents (Manasa and Sandeep) have already charted out his course for the future. 

I conclude by saying that his talent must be chiseled and channeled with the help of the right professional coach and guide. As he hones his skill in this game, he will definitely bring laurels to the state and the country!

I wish Sughosh and his parents, all of the very best! 

(Pictures courtesy and Published with permission from Sughosh's parents - Sandeep and Manasa)