IN A short span of time, a student at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre has achieved heights. Just twenty three, Shilpa Dalmia is the director of Advance Tennis Academy. She has been coaching Delhi tennis team for last seven years and has won several national and international Lawn Tennis tournaments. In an interview with CJ Jyoti Singh Rathore, she shares her experiences both on and off the field.

CJ: In a very short period of time you have achieved lot of success. Do you want to share your journey with our readers?

Shilpa: I have always learnt that road to success is never easy and short. Hence it was same for me. Even if you are born with silver spoon, nothing can replace hard work and determination. So I struggle at every stage with the love and support of family. The trust of my parents made me stronger and more focused.

CJ: You are not only the Director but a coach also. How do you manage your time and experience?

Shilpa: Well, I always wanted to give back whatever I have learned from tennis. And since tennis is my life everything automatically happens. I guess if you have passion for something then you surely feel like having 48 hours a day.

CJ: Do you have any link with ‘The Dalmia’ lineage?

Shilpa: Yeah! I belong to the royal family of Rajasthan. My grandfather was a prince of a royal family of Rajasthan and my grandmother was princess of a royal family of Bhiwani.

CJ: If not coaching, what else excite you?

Shilpa: Tennis “COURT” is my life, but yeah “COURTROOM” also interests me as it is our family tradition.

CJ: You have done lot of courses. Is there any particular reason for having so many qualifications?

Shilpa: All these qualifications are related to my profession only. They helped me to know and understand my area better and in a wider way. I also like exploring new areas apart from all this, knowledge helps you a lot.

CJ: What do you suggest your players as a coach? Do you have memorable moments to share?

Shilpa: I just tell them to work hard and to be determined in whatever they are doing. Yeah, there are many memorable moments as I spend around four hours daily with them, but the most special was when they all got a trophy for me saying the best coach of the world and the best sister.

CJ: What do you think about the doping scandals in different sports?

Shilpa: It’s indeed sad to see sportspersons indulging in all this. Sports does not teach us all this. In India we need to have a strict control over all these areas and need to deal in a strict matter.

Q: You have been qualified as a sports Journalist. What is your opinion about the new development in sports? Do you think we lack facilities and infrastructure?

Shilpa: Yes, we lack facilities. Much development hasn’t been done in this area. We need more qualified people and also more courses to educate young professionals in this area.  Sports development is a new and fast growing industry. So we need lot of changes and development for this industry.