“The will to win, the desire to succeed, and the urge to reach your full potential- these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence”
– Confucius.
I have been a sportsperson since my school days- representing my school in jumps and races. Even though I used to win at sports contests, I was never allowed to go out of town to participate in the next level because I was a girl.
In college, sports took a back seat and the touch with sports faded away. When I was around 30, my husband and I thought that we should do something to keep ourselves fit. I knew that long walks and yoga bore me and it is important to me that I enjoy what I do.
We started playing badminton every evening at the Officers’ Club in Mangalore. Once you start playing, the spark reignited. I realised how fun and exciting it is that it became a sort of addiction. You don’t want to miss playing even a single day. Since that day, I have been playing for 30 odd years now.
All my life I have been too busy balancing work and home. When the time for retirement came, I was worried that I will have nothing to do. One thing I was sure was that I wanted to do all those things that I loved to do but never had time for. There were three things – travelling, badminton tournaments and toastmasters. Travelling and badminton tournaments go hand in hand. National tournaments are held in different places. You get to see all those places. I must thank my friend Kanya Kumari for showing me the way, because until she told me, I didn’t know that such Masters Tournaments happened.
My Baddy Lamps team – Averyl, Laveena, Ivan, Reema & Laxmi with whom I play badminton everyday
The first tournament I played in the 60+ category was held in Goa. That was a trial and it was a disaster. Though we lost in the first round, we enjoyed Goa. I went with my friends and remember that they secretly wanted me to lose so that we could go sightseeing! Never have I asked my friends to accompany me again!
In the three years I have been playing since then I have won 5 golds, 3 silvers and been semi-finalist 5 times in different categories (singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles) at National level tournaments. Ever since I started competing in National level tournaments it has been my dream to represent India. It has finally come true. How proud I shall be when I wear Indian jersey in an International Tournament!
Since badminton is a team sport, it not only keeps you physically fit, you make a lot of friends too. We are opponents on the court but bond and help each other improve our game off the court. After I retired, I started playing in the mornings at Mangala stadium. That was the best decision I took. The games are engaging, fulfilling and it is fun playing with friends. We laugh so much in between games and celebrate our wins together.
As you become older you never know when you will have to bow out of the competition mainly due to health issues. So I say – make hay while the sun shines, play as many tournaments as long as you can, you never know what tomorrow holds.
A few of Beena’s awards
With my Mixed doubles partner Sudheesh
My pillar of strength is my dependable and patient husband. He accompanies me whenever I go to tournaments and is always there in the stands cheering me on. He takes great pride in my accomplishments, be it badminton or Toastmasters. Nothing would have been possible without his unfailing support.
My mixed doubles partner Mr P K Sudheesh is very passionate about badminton. We have been placed first/second or third in all the matches we have played together. Right now we are the no. 1 team in the 60+ category in the country.
“Winning isn’t everything–but wanting to win is,” said Vince Lombardi, American football coach.
Now that I am leaving for Spain to play my first international match in the Seniors World Championship, I have no idea about how tough the competition is, but I would certainly try my best to win…because winning gives a heady feeling…And I love that feeling.
It Started As A Fun Activity
Beena Shetty, DTM | Division F Director
Member of Winners Club, Yen Charisma Toastmasters,
Bantwal Speech Weavers, and Konkani Toastmasters Club
1st November 2021
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