Sanjay Lala excels as entire family watches

For seventy-year old Lakshmi, it is a proud moment to watch her grandson play. Years ago, her husband Raman used to play as a defender.

“Raman is no more. But, I am sure he is will be proudly watching his grandson play today in the same position as he used to play.”

Meet the maternal grandmother of Sanjay Lala, a player of the New Zealand team. Born in Gujrat, grandma Lakhsmi had left the country way back in 1952 when she was nine years old. Now, sitting with her daughter Sangeeta, son-in-law Dilip and grandson Shahil (Sanjay’s brother), she cheers loudly as the New Zealand team enters Malaysia’s circle.

“It feels so good to come back to India. I have told a lot of stories to my grand children about India. Now, once the tournament ends, I will take them to my village in Gujrat and show them the place where I lived,” she says. “But India has changed you know. There are so many cell phones these days. Even old ladies use them now. I wonder if it is the same in Gujrat also,” she adds with a surprise.

In fact, for Sanjay, a first-time visitor to India, it is love at first sight. “I love India. People here are nice, helpful and have a care-free attitude. I like the old buildings and landscape of the place. I will be touring India with my family and I am looking forward to it.”

His grandmother Lakshmi has reasons to justify the nice people of India. She says, “When I told the rickshawwala that take us to National Stadium as my grandson will be playing World Cup today, he did not even charge us money. Rather, he hoped Sanjay plays well’’.

His brother Shahil who himself plays hockey, has the same feelings to share.

“Coming to India was first a cultural shock. But, it is a nice place, much different than New Zealand. The cars here honk a lot,” he says.

“He is scared to sit in the rickshaws. He gets afraid when a car approaches him from the other side,” grandmother Lakshmi prompts.

The boys are more of Kiwis than Indians. “I and my brother are more of Kiwis. We can’t associate much with India,” Shahil says. “Namaste (Hello) is all I know,” Sanjay humbly accepts.

So, do they want to play for India? “Only if I can manage to find a place. India is a great team,” Sanjay smiles.

And are the parents hoping a New Zealand-India final?

“It would just be so good,” father Sanjay exclaims.