A different player

Fighting the odds

Fifteen year-old Amit Shingare, a ball-boy at the Ekon Tennis Academy, who cannot afford to buy a racquet defeated one of the best players in his age group. The school drop-out is now keen on completing his SSC examination

Aditi Thirani Deccan

Who says mountains cannot be moved. Nothing is impossible if one has a dream coupled with a desire to see it fulfilled. How else can one explain the rise of 15 year-old Amit Shingare, a ball-boy at the Ekon Tennis Academy, who cannot even afford to buy a racquet - defeating one of the best players in his age group. Amit, a marker and ball-boy, surprised all by defeating Aditya Vyas, a player pitted to win, in the Ramesh Desai Memorial State Ranking Championship.

Now he is eyeing the finals and is keen to grab the title in his debut itself. So how did Amit make it so far: "I have been coming here from childhood. I have seen many big players at their game and have learnt from them," he says. His grandfather, Bansode Kaka, worked as a ball-boy and marker at the Deccan Gymkhana for 30 years.

Amit who has studied till class eight at the Shri Shivaji Vidyamandir dropped out of school two years ago. He has been working as a marker and ball-boy at the Ekon Tennis Academy for the last five years and lives in Aundh with his younger brother and mother. Amit’s father left his mother when Amit was still a chid forcing the young boy to start working early in life. What makes Amit’s victory sweeter is that he has not received any formal training in tennis. "I have been watching the game from childhood and have always dreamt of making it big. It was only six months ago that I started practicing.

He practices two hours a day with borrowed equipment. His gear has been provided by Abhishek Tamhane, who runs the Ekon Academy. "Abhishek sir has been really nice. I can count on both, the support of my mother and him." With the final’s fast approaching, Amit hardly gets any time to rest. His mother has been both his pillar of strength and support. "Amit always had a flair for the game. Everyone wanted him to do something and he is on his way of achieving that. I will always support him in his endeavour," says his mother. He is planning to sit for his SSC exam shortly and is keen on educating his younger brother too.

"Winning or losing can never be pre-determined. You can win if you pursue your goals and channelise your thoughts in that direction," says Amit. Bold words from a boy and his family struggling to make two ends meet.