When Pande joined Term 2 at Holy Cross College, he was informed that he had to choose a sport; a sport that was not an indoor sport but one that required running and sweating, the sports master had emphasised.
Since his primary school, every one kept telling Pande that he had the perfect height for basketball. He liked table tennis better and played it. But now that he had to choose either ofvolley ball or basketball, his hand moved ping pong until he ticked the box that had volleyball. “It seems easier to play and I have the height for it”, Pande reasoned.
Standing at 5’8ft, the Volleyball Coach looked at him during the tryouts and nodded in affirmative. “The combination of Manzi at 5’7ft and Pande would give an intimidating presence on the volleyball court”, the coach said. He was a great addition to the school team.
The 5am Wednesday training found Pande wrapped in his warm blankets. It was way too early, he thought. He missed that training. During the evening practice, Pande however, realised that the game of volleyball is not as easy as he had thought. There is skill required in serving accurately and spiking.
He also realised that it is not about standing behind the net with your height. It requires communicating with your teammates because volleyball is a team sport. Shorter players jumped up to spike as Pande was shoved out of the way.
After the training, the coach explained to Pande that the height advantage is helpful but dedication, teamwork and consistent training are what make a good athlete.
From that day on, Pande was the first for the early morning jog. He started practicing to improve his spiking confidence, observed his teammates and practiced how to give strong serves. Soon the team started respecting his effort.
When the Coach read out the squad for the friendly match with The Kings School over the weekend, he was on the Substitutes list. Pande was so happy because he knew that his hard work was beginning to pay off.
