Mundra Omprakash never gets tired of watching sports. The 60-year-old resident of Nagpur has been to a number of mega sporting events either as a fan or as a volunteer from the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. The Indian’s volunteerism has taken him to three Olympics — two Winter editions and one Summer Games at Athens and an Asian Games. “My wife, Premalatha, accompanies me to all places. She is in South Africa as well. We always go as a pair,” he laughed.
Omprakash is a volunteer at the football World Cup here and Ellis Park is his base. He serves journalists from every corner of the globe with an ever-present smile on his face. “Never say no” is his mantra. “I enjoy doing my bit in major events. I don’t know where I got the bug from,” Omprakash, who was in Korea and Japan as a fan at the 2002 World Cup, said.
An Indian presence is rare at the Winter Olympics. “Yes, it is true. Where does it snow in our country? But I enjoyed my work at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. Another highpoint was the Asian Games at Doha the same year. Everything was perfect at the Qatari capital. There was so much respect for volunteers there. I will never forget the Doha Asiad,” Omprakash said.
He has an eclectic taste. “I follow all games including cricket. Football, tennis and badminton are my favourites. I have been to Wimbledon once and a couple of World badminton championships. My CV also includes three cricket World Cups (1999, 2003 and 2007). I have already planned my itinerary for the 2011 cricket World Cup and the London Olympics,” the die-hard sports fan said.
When is he going to retire? “I will call it a day after the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. My three sons are fully behind my sports journey. Maybe my frugality is the secret of my longevity,” Omprakash chuckled.
— T.N. RAGHU