Ridhima Pathak stands as a beacon of inspiration within the realm of sports activities broadcasting, embodying the right mix of ardour, mind, and charisma. Along with her roots firmly planted in engineering, she has carved a outstanding area of interest for herself in a discipline that always feels worlds aside from her tutorial beginnings. Graduating with a level in Instrumentation and Management Engineering from the distinguished MKSSS Cummins School of Engineering for Ladies, Ridhima initially launched into a standard company journey. Her position as a advertising analyst at American company showcased her analytical prowess and strategic pondering, but her coronary heart yearned for the colourful world of sports activities.
Pushed by an insatiable ardour for athletics and an innate expertise for storytelling, Ridhima took a daring leap of religion into the dynamic universe of sports activities journalism. Over the previous decade, she has emerged as a distinguished sports activities presenter, fascinating audiences together with her eloquence and infectious enthusiasm. Whether or not she is anchoring reside from the electrifying ambiance of the Ladies’s Premier League or offering insightful commentary throughout worldwide cricket tournaments, Ridhima’s presence is nothing wanting magnetic. Her skill to attach with viewers transcends mere reporting; she brings to life the feelings, triumphs, and challenges that outline the sporting expertise.
What units Ridhima aside is not only her spectacular credentials but additionally her unwavering dedication to empowering others. She acknowledges that the world of sports activities media is rife with alternatives ready to be explored. By way of her work, she actively seeks to encourage younger abilities—particularly girls—encouraging them to pursue their passions fearlessly.
Along with her broadcasting achievements, Ridhima is an advocate for inclusivity in sports activities. She believes that numerous voices enrich the narrative of athletics and strives to create platforms the place underrepresented tales could be instructed. Her dedication to fostering a extra inclusive surroundings inside sports activities media resonates deeply with audiences and aspiring journalists alike.
As we delve into this interview with Ridhima, we invite you to discover not solely her skilled journey but additionally her insights on the evolving panorama of sports activities journalism. Be part of us as we uncover the layers of this outstanding particular person whose ardour continues to encourage numerous others to chase their goals and redefine boundaries on the planet of sports activities.
Listed here are some highlights from the interview:
Q. May you share your journey of transitioning from engineering to sports activities anchoring? What drew you to the sphere of sports activities broadcasting?
Ridhima: Yeah, it’s fairly a transition, firstly I used to be in Marine engineering and since I didn’t wish to pursue that, I took a drop that yr to get right into a stream of my selection. In faculty, I used to get varied anchoring stints and gigs which I did, plus I additionally was fairly curiously in liking of my voice too, as I liked recording my voice and take heed to it, in order that I may work on it. Sports activities after I speak, I really want to credit score my mom for that as she is the one who’s an avid follower of cricket.
Since Pune isn’t such a giant metropolis, the expertise pool is sort of acquainted to one another and one gig led to a different, and I bear in mind I acquired an opportunity to anchor varied cricket leagues in Pune the place in considered one of them I met Ayaz Memon, he complimented me for my voice and instructed me to audition for Star Sports activities. I used to be making ready for my GMAT at that time but additionally working for an American company, and one superb day I took a step calculating that I may take an opportunity and go for the gigs, the place I might get extra time to organize for GMAT. I texted the Star Sports activities expertise hunt staff and all of the sudden they known as me for an audition in Mumbai the subsequent day. So, I took an in a single day cab and reached the place, the place they requested me to take part in a week-long workshop and finalised me for the Hockey India league pre and post-show anchoring. And now right here we’re…
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Q. How difficult is it for a sports activities presenter to stay unbiased and handle feelings whereas protecting intense occasions?
Ridhima: You already know my journey to like the sports activities has been fascinating as I first fell in love with the staff after which the sports activities or lets say with one specific participant of the game whom you like to comply with and get to know the sports activities by means of her or him. So, when the particular person fails to carry out you additionally shatter for a bit and since all of us are people it reveals too for bit in entrance of the digital camera.
In 2019, I feel I used to be in love with the staff greater than the sports activities, the time when India misplaced within the semi-final towards New Zealand, I had tears in my eyes and I used to be standing beside the boundary line. All of the broadcasters went in to organize for the present nevertheless it took me extra time to get ready for the present. From thereafter, I really feel after I to cowl different sports activities I seen that being in love with sports activities doesn’t imply you solely must benefit from the wins but additionally respect the losses too and respect the oppositions who performed you nicely. And should you discover the veteran broadcasters who’ve been protecting a specific sport, do love the sport greater than the staff, after all there’s a mushy nook however while you fall in love with the game a mindset develops the place you’re way more in awe of the sport and never simply the staff.
Q. Do sports activities anchors comply with particular health routines to organize for the calls for of their job? In that case, what does yours seem like?
Ridhima: Work out! It’s a easy calculation that what you eat must be lesser than what you burn, whether or not you do it that day, week and even month, in order that’s your simple cowl on bodily health. For psychological health you want to meditate because it actually counts, have a correct 8 hours of sleep, I really feel each psychological and bodily health are extra of interrelated, I don’t work out to look glossy I work out to be sane and with my psychological well being. Subsequently, it’s in direct proportions.
Now after we discuss vocal health, I had a chance to work with Paul Crane and he used to complete a bottle of honey with lukewarm water whereas commentating the sport, the explanation behind it was to sooth his vocal nerves. Many commentators simply use lukewarm water, as attributable to lengthy stints your voice will get worn out after which there are some people who find themselves blessed with nice vocals.
Q. What’s your tackle India’s latest efficiency within the Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2024?
Ridhima: As an Indian cricket fan we should be dissatisfied and we’re dissatisfied for positive, We may have lifted the trophy and all of us had our hopes up for a greater run however once more after we say as a sports activities broadcaster and sports activities fan, I’m extra of a sports activities lover now so, want to simply respect the opposition who performed nicely on the given day.
Q. May you share a few of your favorite reminiscences or experiences out of your time in broadcasting?
Ridhima: A number of the fondest reminiscences that I’ve had of reside broadcasting have been I feel throughout, through the 2019 World Cup although it was not reside, I used to be protecting digital for ICC I had the chance to interviews Virat Kohli, then captain so it was actually a really particular interview that I took. After that I took Nasir Hussain’s interview.
I just lately hosted Paris Olympics athletes and I feel that needs to be essentially the most enduring reminiscence I’ve had in my sports activities profession to this point, as I acquired to know lots of them, shared a good camaraderie over time and in addition very keenly noticed their mindset representing at such a giant occasion. So, I feel a few of the fondest reminiscences that comes by means of the Paris Olympics.