It's said that old generals never die. The same can perhaps be said of old memories as well. Watching the RSK Sports Day a few years back in Trichy, I felt sad to see a vibrant event being reduced to a pale shadow of its former self. It revived fond memories of those bygone days when the Sports Day was a magnificent spectacle, a true test of fitness, strength and stamina and a confirmed result of hard work and practice.

In fact, preparations for the Sports Day used to begin as early as July. There were kings and queens of the track. There were burly, strong-armed boys and girls in the field events.There were those who performed nimble-footed dances and drill with aplomb. There were the cheerleaders, full-throated and passionate. Then there was the aura, the atmosphere, the thrill and the magic.It all converged into one grand finale on the Sports Day when events rocked everybody from afternoon to late at night.

There was the legendary Anand Natarajan who was once the fastest man in India. We boys, who were in 6th standard when he blazed he tracks, used to watch in awe at his sheer power and speed. He inspired a full generation of athletes like Deepak Doss and Vaidyalingam who were to later take upon his mantle. M.Anandhi was a true legend among the girls as she held most of the records in athletics for a long, long time. She had some worthy successors too with the likes of Preetha Paul. Reju Manjooran, Joy Thomas, Bobby the list goes on. Champions. Heroes and Heroines. Kings and Queens. Every Sports Day used to culminate at night with a breath-taking physical display. It would be discussed and debated upon long after the Sports Meet used to get over. Those were indeed the days????.

The Sports Day I witnessed was so different from its hey days. It was not held separately for the Primary and Main school, both were squeezed into one single day, so much so that it got over before it actually began. The March Past lacked character and rhythm. The cheers were few and muffled. True champions were conspicuous by their absence. Athletes lacked life and enthusiasm.The beautiful sets which we were so accustomed to in our days were just not there. Sports Day in RSK has sadly and definitely reached the twilight of its life, like a precious antique piece, a thing of the past to be cherished.

But no matter what happens to the Sports Day or what its present condition is; if I happen to be in Trichy during the time, I would compulsorily make it a point to attend it. I would fondly remember and regard it as an event par excellence, which first captured my boyish imagination and still continues to be close to my heart ever since as a 5 year old I watched Elvin Dcruz blaze the tracks on a charmed August evening in Trichy more than a score years ago.

- Sudhir.G.V.