Mumbai, June.07: 16 year old Susmita Olivera Daugter of Mr. Godwin Olivera Padukone & Mrs. Blossom Olivera and she study in our own Indian school, Dubai. I have studied in India till grade 5 at St.Thomas academy. It was then that I had developed a passion for chess. There she was first provided a platform at district level chess in Mumbai. That had been the first time ever that she had actually played competitive chess.
she was very young and way too determined to win, my loss in all the games brought about a challenge and a passion to win! My loss in fact brought me down into tears. It was then that my parents took the initiative to put me for classes. And I m so grateful that they did! My teacher was Mr. Kenkre. He used to teach me with great patience . For two years I underwent coaching after which I shifted to Dubai. By now my interest in chess had grown a lot.
After shifting I almost concluded that,it was the end to my passion for playing chess and I won’t get any more opportunities or a higher platform for chess. But my interest and talent found its right destination. I got to represent my school for cbse cluster in Dubai. subsequently I got other opportunities to play international tournaments where I got to see a whole new level of playing chess, I was awarded the best girl player in a local tournament, I have also got several prizes in local chess tournaments. As time passed by my interest and passion to play chess grew even further. In the year 2013 I played for my school at cbse clusters and got qualified for national level. Our team among which I was the only girl played for our school at Uttarpradesh in India and secured the 14th rank in all India level chess.
I had got the opportunity of playing chess at international level with the title sharjah international cup where I was honored to play with the grandmaster. Born and brought up in a rough, tuff and sporty family I also got opportunities to excel in Sports. I was in grade seven when I got to participate as an athlete in the inter house meet at my school. Indeed I must say that it was a total coincident, selections were going on and students who were interested were called to the sports arena, I had gone only for the sake of accompanying my friend.
When I was asked whether I was interested in selection I simply nodded my head. The teacher in charge asked me which event I was interested for. Having nothing in mind I just said 400M. I had no approximate idea how much 400m would be or whether I would complete or not. All I knew was that I would just do an audition. When I started to run I was not at all nervous I just wanted to complete and get done with it. So I just began and finished. To my surprise I was the first to finish. This made me get selected for the annual sports meet. I was encouraged by all the school mates and I had about one and a half month in hand.
The thought of running in the stadium haunted me and all I knew was that I dint want to make a fool of myself and I also wanted to finish the race. I kept practicing till annual sports meet.
I was new in school and running in front of the whole school got me very nervous .That night before the event I barely slept for a few hours. The next day I was silent till I reached the stadium. I had butterflies running in my stomach .looking at the crowd for once gave me the thought of backing out. My mom was very aware of how scared I was. The only thing she told me was do your best and leave the rest. Keeping this in my mind I stepped onto the track and with great fright I ran. I was representing the blue house and all the members of the group motivated me to win.
I completed the race with great dignity and stood second for the race, I was the youngest in my group. That was my first medal I ever got and I was very happy. When I returned home my mom dad and sisters were very happy for me and they were really proud of me because it was nothing less than a surprise. One thing I would like to say is everything depends on how one sets their mind. To be determined is very important. The next year I got the opportunity to join the school team.
My coach was Mrs. Rose Mary. I must say she has been a pillar of support to me always. The first year I went for interschool events in the UAE I could not do very well, at that point I realized where I stood and from that time I had aspired that one day I would be one of the medalist. The next year I worked very dedicatedly. With the support and help of my parents, school, teachers and everyone around me I was able to do well the next year. Hard work and dedication always pays off! In the year 2012 I got the third position for 400m in cbse cluster for cbse schools at UAE level. I was blessed to be supported by everyone and this made me more dedicated to whatever I did. In the year 2013 I stood 1st for 800m and 1500m at the cbse UAE level and I got qualified to go to India to represent my school. I had set the record time for both the events from UAE.
At the national level I got to see head to head competition and the true essence of sportsmanship. I had gone for chess and athletic nationals the mini Olympic held in Varanasi in the year 2013 simultaneously. I secured the fourth position for 800m semifinals and 14th position at all India level for chess. At about the same time I was also attending several marathons in the UAE. The first marathon I had gone was the Dubai mid night marathon in the year 2012, there were 15000 participants of several nationalities, it was a 3.5km race and I had secured the 4th position. I was awarded with a medal, a LED television, a Play station 3 and a free stay at the Rotana hotel. In the year 2013 I had gone for a marathon with the title Dubai road runners I was awarded with a trophy for securing the first position in the category junior female. It was a 10km race.
On 18th September 2013 I had attended another marathon of Dubai road runners 5km race where I secured the 1st position in the junior female category. I had also participated for the Dubai standard chartered marathon. I have been awarded the individual champion of my school in athletics senior girls in the year 2012 and 2013. In the year 2012 I was honored with the best in sports award of my school. In 2014 I had attended a marathon with the title sharjah ladies run I secured the first position in the girl’s category and I was awarded with a medal and a cash prize of 3000 dirham’s. My family , school, teachers and friends have always been the support and the reason for all my success. I look forward to do even better in the future.
