As 2024 comes to a close, I decided to try something new. In this special episode, I’m joined by Vignesh to unpack our thoughts on The Day I Became a Runner by Sohini Chattopadhyay. We begin with Vignesh’s journey into becoming a sports fan in Kerala, reflecting on how reading newspapers shaped his perspective on sports.

From there, we dive into the book’s rich layers, discussing topics like the challenges female athletes face to play, the triumph of breaking barriers like the Boston Marathon’s gender restrictions, and the heartbreaking reality of gender tests. Vignesh also shares how he was profoundly moved by Ila Mitra’s story and the broader lessons the book offers about sports and education.

In a thought-provoking moment, Vignesh draws a powerful analogy between sports and the social impact space, highlighting how both often glorify traditional success over the learnings gained from trying.

Tune in to hear our reflections, insights, and takeaways from this incredible read!

In this heartfelt episode of The Sport Kaleidoscope, we're back to celebrate an icon as we reflect on the incredible career of Rafael Nadal following his retirement announcement. I’m joined by my close friend and fellow Rafa superfan, Shuba Ramkumar, to share our most cherished memories of the man who inspired us both. Shuba reveals how she became a Rafa fan and recounts the unforgettable experiences of watching him live at the Chennai Open and Wimbledon. We delve into how Rafa's influence extended far beyond the tennis court, shaping Shuba’s adolescent years in personal and meaningful ways. Together, we explore the lessons we’ve learned from watching Rafa, not just as a tennis player but as a person, and how he brought us together—forming the foundation of our friendship.

We also reflected on our insecurities about Rafa’s game during his early years, acknowledging that while he wasn’t perfect, his impact on us was profound nonetheless. Shuba posed a thought-provoking question, asking whether our connection to Rafa might have been different if Novak Djokovic had emerged as Federer's primary rival from the start, rather than stepping in as the disruptor. We also look back at our favourite Rafa matches, making this a deeply personal tribute to a legend who impacted our lives in so many ways.

Show Notes

• The Sport Kaleidoscope Instagram
• Poorvaja Prakash - LinkedIn
• Shuba Ramkumar - LinkedIn
• Rafa Nada at the Chennai Open

• When Tennis Legend Rafael Nadal won People's Hearts in Chennai

In this special episode, we dive into the magic of the Olympics with Neeraj Joshi, a dedicated sports aficionado and lifelong Olympics fan. We take an international perspective, exploring both the Summer and Winter Olympics. From his first vivid memories of the 1992 Olympics, where he witnessed the awe-inspiring presence of NBA giants, to the thrilling moments of the US Women's Water Polo team's triumph in 2012, Neeraj recounts his most cherished Olympic experiences.

Join us as we explore his live experience of the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, and reminisce about the most inspirational and shocking moments that have left an indelible mark on him. Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Neeraj shares his excitement about new sports like Breaking (yes, Break Dancing!)

In addition to his Olympic insights, Neeraj also provides a few must-watch movie recommendations for sports fans. This episode is a captivating journey through Olympic history, filled with personal stories, passionate insights, and a glimpse into what’s to come.