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A member of the National Women’s Netball Team who represented India in international tournaments including the Commonwealth Games Delhi, Megha Chaudhary was doing good for herself in the sport where she got selected because of her lanky feature even before mastering the art of the game. However within few months of learning the basics of the game she made her way up to the National team.
However unlike others who would consolidate their position in the team, the 17 year old school girl decided to quit the game after reaching such height to pursue all together a different game-Boxing. After representing the nation in Netball, the 6’1” tall girl is training hard in boxing to make a name for her and bring laurels for the country.
Speaking to Babua Biswas from Bhiwani where she is currently training, she spoke on various issues regarding her life, ambitions and the game she played and the game she is mastering at the moment.
Excerpts:Babua Biswas: Megha first and foremost thanks a lot for agreeing to speak to SportsKeeda…Megha Chaudhary: My pleasure Babua.
BB: Though you are now a well known face in the Indian sports circuit, very little about your childhood, your background and your family is known to us and your fans. Can you tell us little about it?Megha Chaudhary: First and foremost, I would like to say that I am still not a well known face. Very few people know about the game I had played. Had the game been popular, I think I would have been a well known face.Anyways, I am from Moradnagar near Ghaziabad in UP. I am the youngest in the family with an elder sister and a brother. My Dad is a businessman while mom a housewife.
BB: What all games did you play in your childhood? Have you ever thought of making a career in sports at that point of time?Megha Chaudhary: I was not very active in games and sports in my childhood. In fact I did not play any game so there was no question of thinking about making a career in sports.
BB: So how come you made it to the National Netball Team despite being not into games and sports in your childhood?Megha Chaudhary: It was a co-incidence or I would call it luck. I came across an advertisement asking tall girls to attend the trials for the Central Zone Netball Championship. Blessed with a height of over 6 feet, I gave it a try and was selected for the team. It was here under my first coach Mr Narender that I came to know about the sport.
BB: Then how did you get selected for the National Team?Megha Chaudhary: Right after the Central Zone Championship, I got a call for the national team trail and was selected there also. From there I directly got selected for the National Team.
BB: Which all major tournaments did you participated?Megha Chaudhary: I participated in Youth Asian Championship in Hongkong, Women’s Asian Championship in Malaysia, Youth Asian Championship in Delhi and then the Commonwealth Games.
BB: So what made you shift to boxing despite being already an established Netball player?Megha Chaudhary: Ya, I was doing well for myself in Netball. But the response and attention the game got from the Govt. was very disappointing. As the game was new in India, the federation alone could have done nothing. More initiative should have been taken from the Govt. Moreover, I felt the game will take long long time to gain popularity in India so I thought of quitting. We were even promised jobs by the Govt. post CWG but nothing happened till now. And with age on my side and having a height advantage, I decided to give boxing a try as I have always been fascinated by the game.
BB: Would not have it been better for you had you stick to Netball and keep improving yourself rather than trying a new sport all together again?Megha Chaudhary: Hhhhmm…I am not quite sure about whether it would have been better for me or not. But yes, I would have definitely improved in Netball. However, I always follow my heart and shifted to Boxing. I learn things quickly also. I am working hard to get my basics right and hopefully I will succeed in boxing also.
BB: How tough was the transition from Netball to Boxing?Megha Chaudhary: Ohh…It was very tough. It is totally a different game and one needs lots of physical and mental toughness to become a boxer. It is not that Netball doesn’t require that but the demand in boxing is more.
BB: Do you think you can still make it big in Boxing?Megha Chaudhary: I am very optimistic about my prospect in boxing. In just few months I have learn the basics though I am still working on it to get it perfect. I am still young and have time on my side to prosper. Moreover, with a height of over 6 feet, which is an added advantage for me, I fell I will succeed in Boxing also.
BB: Where are you undergoing your Coaching or training?Megha Chaudhary: I have been training at the famous Bhiwani Boxing Club under Mr. Jagdish who has produced famous boxers like Vijender Singh. I have also gone for a trail in Sports Authority of India (SAI) Hissar and waiting for the result.
BB: So when are you targeting to break free into the Boxing world?Megha Chaudhary: As of now, I am concentrating on the basic and I am not quite sure as and when I will make a break through. After getting my basics right I have to work to improve my stamina and mental toughness. I have to climb a step at a time. First I have to take part in National Juniors and try hard to make a cut for international competitions. Then I hope to make it through to the senior team as well and represent India at the highest level.
BB: Any Boxing events where you will participate this year?Megha Chaudhary: Yes, I will be participating in the Youth National Championship. Other than that, I am still not aware of any other tournaments.
BB: Talking about your personal life, has life change after representing India at the international level in Netball?Megha Chaudhary: No not at all. I am still the same Megha. Had the game been popular with a mass fan following, it would have definitely brought a change. But when people hardly know about the game how they will know the players. When I say netball, people in all confused state would say, Netball..!! Is it Handball? Basketball? And all other stuffs. I would ask myself, Oh my god…Which game am I playing?
BB: How important do you think is glamour in sports as you are also known as one of the most glamorous sports women in India?Megha Chaudhary: Glamour is nothing to me in sports. As a sports person it is your performance which matters. You will be appreciated and loved by all if you do well in your game. Just imagine how you would feel winning a medal for your country. Glamour can’t give you that moment of pride and satisfaction; it can get you only fans and few modeling assignments.
BB: Will you ever consider an offer for modeling or movies if it comes your way at this point of time?Megha Chaudhary: No, Never. Right now I am just concentrating on my boxing and nothing can shift my focus. It’s just Boxing and only Boxing for me at the moment.
BB: Who has been your source of inspiration throughout these years?Megha Chaudhary: Actually it was my brother who inspired me a lot. He is an engineer and has been very supportive in whatever I do and I wish to do. He is very important for me. Actually he is my life. And among sports person I like Yuvraj Singh, Vijender Singh and Mary Kom.
BB: Are you studying as well? What are you studying and where?Megha Chaudhary: Ya I am studying in 12th Standard at Dayawati Modi Public School. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my Principal who has been very supportive in my quest for sporting excellence.
BB: What other things do you like to do when you are not training?Megha Chaudhary: I just pass my time watching TV, listening to music’s and all.
BB: What message would you like to give to your fans and our readers?Megha Chaudhary: In whatever field you go, just go full out and be ambitious. Do your best and try to be the best.
BB: Lastly how do you feel on being included amongst SportsKeeda’s top 15 beautiful sports women for the title of Miss India Sports 2011?Megha Chaudhary: (Laugh) Feels good and I have already asked all my friends to vote for me.
BB: We from SportsKeeda wished you a very good luck and pray that you soon achieve your targets.Megha Chaudhary: Thank You and wish you and SportsKeeda a huge success.
