Question1. Kindly introduce yourself
Answer: Hi my name is Nandini Das and currently I’m in first year pursuing History honors from Venkateshwara College. In my school days I was interested more in cultural activities like modeling and dancing. My journey from cultural activities to basketball started when in standard seventh my principal called the discipline coach Vinod Chaudhary. His coaching lessons drew my attention towards basketball and that’s how I started playing basketball and then gradually I played district tournaments, school tournaments. I played my first nationals when I was standard 12th. I also played nationals in the North East Zone from the Assam team respectively and I was the captain of the latter. I even played in the Assam Olympics. So overall that was my basketball journey till now.
Question2. How did your interest in sports become your passion and what pushed you to become a professional player?
Answer: As I said,earlier I was more invested in cultural activities but then my school seniors played different types of sports and I used to watch them. My best friend and other seniors made me feel that I should not limit my boundaries and should give sports a try along with my other interests. So you can say my best friend was one of my inspirations. Continuing this.my best friend and I, together influenced many of our classmates and we made a big team in school itself. Currently I’m also a part of college team and with them I attended tournaments in IIT kanpur and Institute of Home Economics
Question 3: You just mentioned that you grabbed a Silver medal in the challenger s' trophy, so it's definitely a huge win. Can you tell me about the most memorable moment from that tournament?
Answer:I think the final match was the most memorable for me, although we secured second but in that game I was the one who scored the highest basket from my team. After the game was over everyone was crying so our coach called and consoled all of us. He specifically told me that I played really well. So even though we lost that match I think our coach was content and said that we did what he taught us so I think that moment was very special for me.
Question 4. You have won so many championships like whether it be on National level or School level. Do you have any one particular win that is very close to your heart?
Answer: I went to play a school tournament and 33 schools participated in that league match. We were playing against one of the strongest teams and we almost lost that match.But then I scored 41 plus baskets. Even I was shocked and we won by a margin of 20 points. So basically we defeated the undateable and I think that win will always hold a spot in my heart.
Question5. What has been the biggest challenge throughout your career in basketball and how did you overcome it?
Answer: Honestly speaking I would say every sport has a darker side which includes politics. So during nationals selections coaches want only their students to get selected but then there is a saying, “Hard work pays off.” In trials, I used to give my 100 % so that everyone would recognize me. It hasn't happened to me till now but I have a lot of friends who have faced politics. So, this kind of thing hasn’t happened to me and by God's grace every time I overcome the challenges in my path.
Question6. How do you handle high level pressure in these high level competitions?
Answer: As far as I have played, I have needed my team. There is a pressure of the game but on top of that being captain also adds extra pressure. Keeping that in mind, I try to be cool so others don't get panicked and I calm myself. I try not to take pressure during matches and in my mind I see every match as a friendly match. I give the same advice to my teammates and tell them to be chill and everything will be good.
Question7: Coming so far in this journey, what do you think are the key skills or values that every player should have?
Answer: I think the first thing is confidence and belief in yourself because if you think that your opponent is stronger than you, you lose half of the match. Basketball is not an individual game but a team effort so you have to believe in your teammates as well. Coordination is very important in this sport as we all have to decide when and to whom we have to pass the ball. I would also say to always listen to your coach no matter what happens. According to me, these are the skills one should possess to become a good player.
Question8: Apart from your best friend as you mentioned earlier, was there any other significant role model or mentor throughout your journey?
Answer: My school principal father, Vintu Augustin as he was the person who made our team. As I told earlier I was very much into the cultural field and he was the one that got us the coaching facility. He motivated us to participate in the tournaments. We were the first team to play the District Tournament from my school and even though we bagged second position all the teachers and students were very happy for us.
Question 9: Being so much involved in sports, how do you manage your academics and other extracurricular activities?
Answer: I have seen a lot of students who ignore their academics if they are involved in sports or other non academic activities. I think I have the potential to maintain both my academics and sports. In college my practice starts from 6:30 am to 9:00 am. So I change in college only because I have my classes from 9:45 am and I maintain a time balance between my practice and classes. People might think it's quite hectic but if you are passionate about something everything is manageable.
Question 10: Looking ahead, what're your goals and long-term aspirations in the sport?
Answer: I have not necessarily thought of making a career in basketball. But even if I make my career in another field, for instance in academics, then also from heart and soul I will be a basketball player. I'll never stop playing basketball that is for sure.
Question 11. So what advice would you like to give to any young basketball player who wants to achieve, great heights just like you
Answer: One advice which I would like to give is that if you are really passionate about the game then be confident. Go for regular practice because if you forget to practice then your game will go down and you will feel lazy. So never skip practice, be confident and make good friends because a friend of yours will take you to heights. My best friend motivated me and I think that's why I was able to play nationals and is giving this interview today. She didn't play nationals herself but because of her motivation I’m here today. In my opinion if you have a good company then they will help you to go to greater heights. Because basketball is a team game after all. Be bold and confident enough that nobody can stop you.
HIGHLIGHTS-
●Shifting her interest from cultural activities to sports, Nandini started her journey in basketball in standard 7th.
●Nandini played for the Assam team and was the captain.
●Now in the basketball team of Venkateshwara College, she not only played in club tournaments but also in many school tournaments.
●She bagged Silver in Assam Olympics in 2022 and same in Junior National Northeast Zone Basketball Championship.
●She secured a position in Top 14 in 72nd Junior National Basketball Championship.
●Nandini holds a great value towards her friends and family and considers her best friend her inspiration.
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