Sibling Rivalry

We try not to think about it. Friends and well wishers mention this history factor to us all the time,but it only ends up creating immense pressure in our minds. If we can perform to our potential,we will win medals, Dola says,almost sounding tired with the reply. The pressure is clearly there for all to see.

Despite Rahul and Dolas success in the sports recurve discipline,life hasnt changed much for the family. The pair may have brought acclaim to the household with medals at many international events including the Archery World Cups,but their financial situation is remains what it has always been,poor.

At the age of 24,Rahul doesnt have a permanent job to show for his efforts. Ranked 20th in the world,he struggles to afford even the basic requirements to pursue the sport. Archery happens to be an expensive sport as one equipment set consisting of a bow and 12 arrows costs around Rs 1 lakh.

He needs a full time job. The road is only going to get tougher for the boy, says Ashok,whose nail-making factory barely provides enough for the family. But despite the obvious shortcomings,Ashok stretched finances to the limit to make his childrens dream a reality.

The Banerjee siblings started their journey at the Baranagar Archery Club,just a short walk from their house. In awe of archers who used to train at the club,the kids were inspired enough to approach Prabir Das,their first coach in the sport. And their pass-time soon became a passion.

It was difficult for us to make archery as a career. Buying equipment was a huge problem. We started practicing with wooden bows and arrows that were available at the local club. Sometimes Paresh Nath Mukherjee,the secretary general of the Archery Association of India,would come forward to help us. Dola couldnt compete in a selection trial in 1998 because she didnt have proper equipment, Rahul says.

Dola six years older than Rahul was the first to make a mark when she won gold at the national championships in 2002. Things were pretty slow in the beginning,but once I started training under Korean coach Lim Chea Woong,the situation got much better. That gold was the turning point of my career. He instilled confidence in the players and helped us grow as individuals, Dola explains. Family support was also hugely important. Without family support we couldnt have reached this far. Our parents were not wealthy and suffered financial hardship but never compromised on our careers. More than anything,they instilled qualities in us to live as good human beings, said Dola.

It was Dolas exploits at the nationals that convinced Rahul to also get serious about the sport. While he preferred playing football in his younger days,he changed his mind after his sister national win made headlines in Kolkata. I started playing at the age of 13,but the aim of becoming a top archer came only after Dolas success, he says. Dolas early start and dedication has seen her perform better than her sibling. She has several individual gold medals to her name while Rahul has just team golds to his credit. Dola is also ranked higher 11th while Rahul is placed 20th in the world. But there is not even the hint of jealousy on Rahuls side. Dola is my first and only role model. She inspired me to take up the sport. I wanted to emulate my sisters feats. Once I told her that I too wanted to pursue a career in archery,she took me under her wing. She was a pretty hard taskmaster. It was tough,but now I realise the importance of the role she has played in my life, Rahul recalls.

Archery makes a return to Commonwealth Games after a gap of 28 years. In 1982,India were minnows in the world of archery,but things started to change from the late 1980s when Limba Ram now national coach emerged on the scene. India is hosting the Games and it would be our duty to ensure that we dont return empty-handed, Dola says.

As Indias premier player,Dola will lead the teams chances,along with L Bombayala and Dipika Kumari,the two other members of the Indian team for the Games. I am confident about winning a medal in Delhi, she adds. For Rahul,the Games are a chance to win the elusive individual medal. I do not have an individual gold,so I am especially looking forward to an individual medal in the Games,but it needs luck. I know that we will definitely win a medal in the team event. We are world No. 2 at the moment and will start as favourites on home turf, says Rahul. He,along with Jayant Talukdar and Tarundeep Rai,form the Indian mens recurve team.

Dola fully backs her brother in his quest.Rahul is a top talent but he will have to win in individual category to do justice to his talent and be considered a great player. At the moment he is struggling to get past the pre-quarterfinal stage. I sincerely wish the jinx is broken in Delhi.

With only a few days left for the Games,the main topic of discussion in the Banerjee household is quite easy to guess. Archery is all we talk about,day and night. Everyone expects us to create history by becoming the first brother-sister pair to win golds in the same event. We do not want to let them down, Rahul says,almost wishfully. Their house at Barada Basak Lane waits for the ultimate distinguishing factor,of historical proportions.