From a rough-and-tumble boyhood, I know there is no greater joy than playing football on empty, rain-washed streets. Last week, there was opportunity. Mumbai was under a Red Alert. Schools and colleges had been ordered shut. The skies opened up, emptying thousands of gallons of rain onto the city. And the boys came out, excitedly claiming the streets as their football ground.
I watched in envy. Goals were marked with discarded footwear. Teams were made up from whoever happened to turn up. No referee was required. The football was fierce, competitive and wonderfully chaotic. Every boy believed he was Messi, Ronaldo or Mbappe, and for those magical hours, perhaps he was. It was noisy, quarrelsome and full of shouting, shoving and colourful language. Boys will be boys.
Many came from neighbourhoods without parks, playgrounds or maidans. Some from slums that don’t even have proper toilets. Yet they cheerfully overcame every disadvantage by turning an ordinary street into their stadium. Residents seldom complain, even though parked cars occasionally suffer a dent or a broken side mirror, and the neighbourhood loses its afternoon siesta. Street football teaches you to kick straight and true. Sachin Tendulkar often spoke of how playing cricket on the street helped him perfect the straight drive because he had to avoid breaking the neighbours’ windowpanes.
The heavier the rain, the rowdier and muddier the game became. Rain never stopped play, nor did fading light. When the imaginary referee finally blew his whistle, the boys trudged home soaked to the skin, with muddy imprints of the football proudly stamped across their clothes. I’d happily wear those stains again if it meant I could play street football in the rain one more time. After all, detergent advertisements assure us that even the most stubborn stains can be washed away. Not memories.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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