“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”

As we always say, “Velocity understands that keeping a healthy balance of work and fun is very necessary for every individual”. Well, the company not only believes in the statement but also ensures that there are enough measures taken to keep the employees – happy, healthy, sporty and energetic. With its very first Outdoor Sports Retreat, Velocity finally combined the idea of a get-together picnic and day dedicated to sports on the 9th February 2019. We also had a series of indoor sports last year where participants challenged each other in matches of Table Tennis, Carrom, Chess, and Pool. This time, the idea was to take things bigger, better and bolder.

The Ramagya School facility was booked for us for the entire day for sports including Badminton, Cricket, Kabaddi and more. The employees were supposed to reach the grounds of the school at 9 in the morning. The “josh” was such, that everyone had started coming from 8:30 itself. Finally, the gates were opened and we were allowed inside the huge campus. While we all waited for the others to come, we started playing football, practice matches of cricket, frisbee and other casual games.

When everyone came, we headed to the badminton court where the participants were divided and their opponents were decided. Badminton was the biggest competition of the day and everyone played remarkably. Where some came to enjoy sports playing with the sportsman-spirit, there were those who came to WIN. Well, that was that and the spectators were not less than anyone as they cheered for whoever came to play in the court. Sweating, panting and hurting were common but the happiness that everyone had on their faces were just – Priceless!! Once the semi-final matches got over, everyone made their way down in the open field where the teams were divided for the cricket matches. More like “gully-cricket”, we hardly knew the new-comers in the company and that’s exactly where friendships happened and people got to know each other. It was no less than the Ranji-trophy matches for sure. Our scoreboard-keeper cum commentators – Paras was more entertaining than the matches going on in front. Every player put his/her best foot forward scoring half a century and then going on scoring a century.

Small groups were moving towards the canteen for sumptuous food that was served. An entire thali with yum delicacies made sure that we stuffed ourselves and went ahead playing more. In the meanwhile, the matches continued and the final round of badminton was also done with the same zest and the sun shining upon us throughout the day. It was almost 4 when the burgers came in with chips. These refreshments were very refreshing for sure. Finally, the matches came to an end with the winners being declared.

It was then, that the trophies were handed out to Shivika and Akash (1st position in Badminton), Priya and Manish Aggrawal (1st Runner Up in Badminton) and the winning cricket team. There was still time for us to leave the ground when the boys did what they do best – played a match of football.

Tired but not wanting to leave, we all said goodbye to each other. Well, it was on Monday when all of were bearing the pain in their shoulders or legs or everywhere else. The pain went away but the memories we made are going to be cherished time and again.

Thank you Velocity for giving us this sporty experience!!