We are ready to serve our players in the best possible way
Jethu’s camp has revived after a long pandemic pause of 9 months. Cheerful moments captured !!
Experience from The Presiden’t Desk:
Garfa Sabuj Sangha – The Long Way Travelled
About 30 years back in 1989 during the winter season, we used to go to the HURUMTAL CLUB to play badminton as there were no such playgrounds, nearby. One day while our game was on, wind started blowing which gradually intensified. We stopped the game and waited with the hope that the wind will stop anytime; unfortunately, it increased instead, with rain and thunderstorms. We returned back to Sabuj Sangha, with great disappointment. A strong craving to play badminton absorbed the entire group and we started to think of the ways to conquest the weather permanently and to continue satisfy our deep desire of playing badminton.
Next morning, the first thing was, I reached the club with a big tape to measure the open land in front but after the measurement it was found inadequate for a badminton court. There was an idea thrown, at this point, by our club secretary Shri Mihir Dutta – he proposed to include the existing club room as well, in the measurement and with this idea it was just possible for a court. Now the question was how significant it would be to build a badminton court for a few, while sacrificing the bigger benefit of the existing club room, used by all the members. A plan was developed with the total measured area to accommodate a small double storey part, which could be used for other purposes and this plan was well accepted and agreed by all.
The work started, with small available resources of the club and the support of a few big-hearted members. Procurement of old rejected materials (joist, iron pipes, tin sheets etc.) were done, in thrown away prices, for the structure. Gradually, by the next winter when it took its complete shape, we too were surprised to see this huge structure from the outside and thought how this was possible; but then when the purpose is honest, intension is positive and the thought is clear, nothing truly is impossible.
This was the time for the inauguration – in the opening game, Bengal champion Shri Manoj Guha and Shri Sunil Bose, played with us. Initially, for many years, the badminton court was restricted for use of the club members only but gradually it was opened for all. I feel very proud now, when I hear, our club has achieved so many distinctions and a great height in Bengal Badminton as well as in India Badminton, through the coaching and inspiration of our beloved Sunilda(Late Sunil Bose) who sacrificed his entire health & wealth for this club, during the last phase of his life. Our present chief coach Shri Sambhu Das (known to all as ‘Jethu’) is also a true follower of Sunilda who takes extreme care in coaching of small boys and girls.
One day, the honorable Ex-Mayor of Kolkata, Shri Kamal Basu, a great sports-lover on his way to some other work in this area, visited our Indoor Badminton Court and asked me if we received any financial support from KMC for its construction and when I answered ‘no’, he was surprised and questioned back how this was possible. I replied; it was the strong will of the club members to stand by their own feet. He simply remarked this work as a “Real Contribution of the club in the field of sports”.
When I go to the club now and find some boys and girls are denied admission everyday due to non-availability of vacancies, I keep thinking, had we planned & built a double storey badminton court, such problem, to some extent, could have been avoided.
Sorry we had no such foresight or fund. We thought of ourselves only.
The Secretary Speaks ...
When the purpose is honest and the thought is clear, everybody will come to support for the betterment of their expanse, their state and the country. Nothing is impossible when the WILL FORCE is strong as it happened for The GarfaSabuj Sangha Badminton and Gymnasium compound, established & contributed by its members who always wanted to stand bytheirwith heads high up.
The Garfa Sabuj Sangha Club offers one of the best badminton facilities in Kolkata with additional benefits of Gymnasium and Yoga to its players. This club has groomed and produced a series of successful badminton professionals, over the years. It has always tried to maintain a disciplined, organized and a healthy playing environment for the players. The only motto, this club has tried to sustain on, is a complete professional training to the children joining the camp, with the least possible discrimination.
The GarfaSabuj Sangha Club offers one of the best badminton facilities in Kolkata with additional benefits of Gymnasium and Yoga to its players. This club has groomed and produced a series of successful badminton professionals, over the years. It has always tried to maintain a disciplined, organized and a healthy playing environment for the players. The only motto, this club has tried to sustain on, is a complete professional training to the children joining the camp, with the least possible discrimination.
We are proud of our beloved Sunilda (Late Sunil Bose), who contributed his entire life to the Badminton arena marked with innumerable achievements at State (Bengal) and India levels and the last phase of his life to this Club. His countless effort & philosophy has truly inoculated an enriched culture and value to us which we are carrying, even today. Sunilda’s greatest follower and our present Chief Coach Sri Sambhu Das (Jethu) has been a true successor to Sunilda’s philosophies, based which he never forgets to take the diligent & utmost care to each and every child, in the camp, even today at his 80+ age.
Last but not the least, mention ofeach of the club members (the endless list of individuals) who through the decades have loved this Club, contributed whole heartedly with honesty, unselfish and unconditional efforts and contributions, are worth to be mentioned and appreciated. These are the HUMAN PILLARS who have and shall be holding the CLUB’s brand and values high, under all circumstances.
FACILITIES WE PROVIDE
Badminton Training
Multi Gym Facilities
Yoga Center
Ephemeral Chronicle of the Chief Coach – “Jethu”
Almost at his 80’s but a mind filled with great zeal. This man spends his entire day at the Garfa badminton court with an addiction to train the kids and a big dream in his eyes still, to squeeze out a few State & National champions out of this bunch. His name is Shri Sambhu Charan Das, but all the kids, their parents and the locality know him by the name JETHU (Bengali meaning: paternal uncle, elder to the father).
This person in his life has never participated in any of the State or National level Badminton tournaments but he has helped the club, produce innumerable State Champions many of whom are now eventually established as renowned National players. The last State champion, from this club and under the mentorship of Jethu is ShriArintap Dasgupta. He’s currently practicing at Prakash Padukon Academyand has started representing India at the International tournaments now.
Previous list of renowned and senior players from Garfawho learnt playing the game fromJethu,is quite long though, but names like Shri Arup Baidya, a very successful State, National and International player with great achievements throughout his sports career, ShriJishnuSanyal, Smt. Riya Mukherjee are to be invariably mentioned for their respective contribution in Badminton and the honor they have earned for themselves, Jethu and eventually the club, State and the Country.
Jethuis associated with GarfaSabuj Sangha for more than 20 years now. He served as the assistant to Late Sunil Bose, the Guide & Guru of Jethu in Badminton, for almost an era. Still today, Jethu is absolutely respectful of Late Sunil Bose and every moment, given an opportunity Jethu never fail to admit Shri Bose’s greatness and his mammoth sports contribution to the State and the Nation. It truly demonstrates the class and the culture of this man and the club, he belongs to.
Everyone, every day, every moment prays for this man’s long and healthy life, which definitely will be a boon for many more future kids and for him – living the dreamof making more and more Champions – State, National & International; GOD BLESS THIS MAN.
