Ishraque Gulrays: I’ve always been inclined to sports from a very young age. First Football and then, around the early ’90s, the wonderful sport of tennis caught my fancy and I was immediately drawn to it
My supportive parents soon began searching for a coaching institute and my father finally found one in Bhavans College and enrolled me there.
Tennis came Naturally to me. Within 6 months, I began playing tournaments and within a year, I was playing state-level tournaments. Later became the U-14 champion and was among the top-ranked players in Maharashtra, the top 20 players in the junior category in the State and in the top 50 in the country. Later became the captain of the Mithibai college tennis team and was the vice-captain of the Mumbai University team. I went on to win a lot of competitions and bought home many laurels, before I was compelled to give up a profession in tennis due to lack of sponsorships, at the age of 21.
Life took over and I got engrossed in the daily hustle-bustle of life. However, as it is said that, what is meant to be, will be. Finally, after I started a family came a time when I had to nurture another baby.
I left my well-paid job for sports and decided to join back the Industry, I successfully got an opportunity to manage twenty different sports in Goregaon Sports Club which opened a huge pathway for sports for me. I learned a lot about sports and management of various sports while I worked as the Head of Sports Management at the club. In 2016 I decided to start on my own: Sportnicians – The Sports People.
We aim to help you reconnect with the hidden sportsperson in you. Our services include Sports Coaching, Sports Event & Tournaments, Sports Facility Management, and Sports Infrastructure among many others. Please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @sportnicians or Facebook at ‘Sportnicians-The Sports People’.
I believe that everyone should listen to their heart and follow their passion because even if you face hardships, in the beginning, you’ll surely reach your goal and love whatever you’re doing. It is all about the leap of faith and the journey.