Throwback time machine

Nicholas Sparks once wrote “There are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them. Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes they barely fan one’s cheek. But the winds cannot be denied, bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore.”

The week before going to Chennai to run a four days camp for one of IYSA partner's at a football school Fabian and myself, were told that we would travelling by a night train on Tuesday, during which arsenal, would playing Barcelona. At that moment I realized that there could be nothing worse than being disconnected from what was going on , on the grass of the emirates.

For some reason our train was cancelled and my colleague Fabian reminded me that sometimes things are meant to be...

It filled me with immense joy, that a change of circumstances had allowed me to watch the game, despite suffering a loss to the Catalans. The Gunners could be inspired by that Nicholas Sparks quote before the return game...

Thanks to Arup we finally end up at the domestic airport to take a flight to Chennai with Spicejet airline and its more than convincing slogan : Red. Hot. Spicy.

Once we arrived in Chennai , we were taken on a tour of the Vellayan Chettiar Higher Secondary School, where we were to deliver 4 days of trainings sessions to the students who made up the football academy. The tour transported me to a time when I myself attended school. We started our tour by meeting one of the academy managers in her wood paneled office. After a couple of questions we understood that this school is run by the AMM Foundation and kids are selected by lottery because of the high amount of applicants each year ! The school opted to run this football project for many reasons. Football is popular in the area and they wanted to let children express themselves and channel their energy in a positive way. Dili and Karthic are the coaches in charge of the daily training sessions.

After our host lost her patience with the cup of tea she ordered for us, which never came, we started to discover the aisles of the school. And what a moment! As soon as the first student dared to shake one of us hand. They all came one by one giving their hand and saying "Good Morning Sir". I've never greeted as many people in a minute time frame. I even received a portrait picture of a kid and introducing himself as goalkeeper.

We finally reach the sandy pitch where we are going to train next few days. Surrounded by pretty small stands this "stadium" seems to have something of a soul. We can breathe the hard working atmosphere and picture future fan celebrations ?

The end of the tour led us back to school. Headmaster, teachers and other school managers took us on a tour of the rest of the facilities. Apart from the newly refurbished "football room" we took a look at different class rooms, met students reviewing outside in groups for next days exams and even took part to a music lesson ! The chemical laboratory and biology class were probably the most surprising moments. Discovering that they are doing the same as I did years ago with such elementary tools was incredible. Finally the bottled cobra who was introduced by the mustached biology teacher was something worthy of a movie...

Every school has the same kind of serious atmosphere but every one transmits its own philosophy and own vibes. I realized that some of the aspects in school are universal and go through generations. At the same time this trip back to the school allowed me to compare things with my own student experience.

Our day had just begun and destiny chose to bring us to this school..., with our beginning filling me with so many emotions, I don't deny these winds at all...