Team feel at home in Bahrain

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The Indian women’s national team pose outside the team hotel in Manama, Bahrain.

Seldom in a sport do you see a relatively unknown visiting team sharing a considerable chunk of the fanfare with the hosts. At the Elite Grande Hotel in Manama, Bahrain, the Indian senior women’s national team got such a rare opportunity, although in a fairly alien nation, ahead of their two friendlies in the run up to their AC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Palestine from May 21.

Coach Anadi Barua along with his team were in for a surprise when he was asked in chaste hindi about their preparations on the eve of their first friendly against Bahrain.
“Aur ache se hua training, sab kuch…jeet rahe hai na kaal? (Hope the training tonight went fine… and we are winning on the morrow.),” the head waiter at the restaurant in the hotel, where teams from both Bahrain and India are putting up, enthusiastically enquired at the dinner table.
Barua, on his way to help himself from the buffet platter, paused, and then turned around. “You speak Hindi! Which part of India are you from?” he questioned.
“Noida,” replied the head waiter. Soon the assistant front office manager intervened, all smiles.
“Let me explain this,” he quipped.
“A large portion of the people who work in this hotel have origins or are from your part of the world. We were thrilled at the prospect of India playing here in Bahrain. Please feel at home sir, and speak to us in hindi if you wish!” he added introducing himself, Jigar Soni hailing from Mumbai.
Some of the Bahrain players, dining along with the Indian women’s team in the opposite table looked bemused.
“This is amazing. I don’t think this happens too often where the away side gets almost equal amount of limelight like the home team. This is worth sharing,” said national striker Jyoti Ann Burrett.
After finishing conversations with the Indian contingent of the hotel staff, Barua said, “Bahrain has been a happy hunting ground for us. We beat them 2-1 in a three-match series in 2011. Now, it seems we will carry sweet off field memories as well.”
Bahrain head coach Maher Abu Hantash’s admission on his way to his hotel room post dinner was the perfect icing on the cake. “I have many relatives of mine whose children are admitted to The Indian School in Bahrain. You will see the school on your way to the stadium (Bahrain National Stadium).”