TOI-Pune:
PUNE AT THE GAMES

Rekha lines up memories from Moscow

Winning Oly Gold In Men’s Hockey Was The Best Sporting Moment, She Says

Pune: Rekha Bhide’s heart is full of mixed feelings. The Arjuna awardee survived a major accident, cycled nearly 35 kms daily as a 13-year-old to play hockey , took five injections in her knee after rushing out to save a penalty corner and had to travel to Navi Mumbai from Pune daily for four years as she was posted there.

And to top it all, she experienced tremendous highs and lows during the 1974 World Cup in France and 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

The 51-year-old, mother of two, told her tale to TOI, sitting at her office desk. But one could sense the Central Railways’ Assistant Sports Officer (Pune div) was ‘moving’ with the experience, her gray eyes in a trance and her wont of shaking her neck giving vibrations of depth.

Bhide, nee Mundphan, who has largely played as centre-half or right-half went to the 1974 World Cup (on natural grass) in France as a 17-year-old and was part of the team which defeated Holland 2-1 (“the high point of my career”) but lost to Argentina in a sudden-death extra-time after the India goalkeeper lost her focus.“We were so confident of winning the title. And to lose
like that was,to put it mildly,shattering.It almost made us numb.”

The Indian women’s team, with their consistent performances in the international arena, had qualified for the 1980 Games in Moscow. That happens to be the only time they qualified for the quadrennial event. “It was a great experience made sour because we could not win a medal,” said Bhide. “We started off well but drew a crucial game against Zimbabwe (who went on to win bronze) and lost to Soviet Union. I have no hesitation to say that as a tournament, it was a nightmare.

“But otherwise, as the Olympic Games, those were memories of a lifetime. Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw was there as a government observer. And he encouraged us a lot. Though the women’s hockey team could not win a medal, we were there cheering for our men when they defeated Spain in the final. That was the best sporting moment I experienced.

“When our team climbed on to the podium, the national anthem started. The flags of three medallists (India, Spain, USSR) started to go up. And to see our ‘tiranga’ (tricolour) hoisted above everyone else’s was the ultimate feeling. The enormity of the occasion made us cry. We realised the meaning of tears of joy.” As she said this, she had goose pimples.

Bhide also recalled the closing ceremony which saw the Indian ladies dance in sarees holding hands of unknowns (foreign athletes). “Such occasions convey the power of sport, the message of peace and unity. And then the music stops and they announce the closure of the Games. Those moments are so poignant,” said Bhide.

Incidentally, that was the last international tournament she played. But her family connections to sports appear never-ending. Her husband Girish, who supported her all the way, represented Maharashtra in football, tennis and basketball. Elder son Alok was a nationallevel tennis player and younger Shomit played under-15 and under-17 cricket for Maharashtra.

To begin with Bhide started as an athlete. She represented Maharashtra in the under-10 section. But after fracturing her leg at 11, she switched to hock ey with ‘Chitku’ effect.

She fondly recalls the days when as a 13-year-old they used to reach school (St Joseph’s, Pashan) at 6.30 am for practice. At 3.30 pm they used to reach Kayani Uncle’s place for tea and biscuits and then to SRPF or ASPT (now AIPT) for practice before reaching home. All on a bicycle, covering more than 30 kms.

Among many who influenced her life, Bhide names coach Balkishen Singh and Dr. Otila Mascarenhas with great affection.

At the same time, she is aware that the challenge remains in planning for the future. “I want to give back to the game,” she said. “I’m working as a consultant for SKF’s hockey wing for underprivileged children.”

Being an influential person in the Railways, she is at the right place. More importantly, her heart seems to be in the right place.