By IANS
New Delhi : Kamal Kishore Mongia and Lalit Kishore Mongia might have a nondescript presence in Indian tennis, but the duo hold a rare distinction of not missing a single Davis Cup tie at home for over a decade.
Cheering India with vigour, Mongia brothers, with their small group of cheerleaders, chant slogans, beat the drums and blow the trumpet whenever India win a point. In a cricket mad nation their love for tennis began when elder brother Lalit got a chance to paint the brand signage on the courtside.
“I am a painter by profession and we have a small shop near the stadium. Ten years back I got the chance to paint the brands around the court. Since then I have been coming here every year.
While working, I slowly developed the understanding of the game and one day I thought why not cheer our Indian team. Since then I regularly attended each and every Davis Cup match,” he said.
His bother Kamal, who assists him in his work, also developed an interest in tennis and now both make sure that there is never a dull moment in the stands.
” We were there in Fed Cup as well. We feel good backing our team. There has to be someone in the audience to support the team and encourage them. I am sure the players feel good to receive such backing,” said Kamal who denies getting any incentive for his cheering.
“We are not planted here by anyone. We come here because of our love for the game and the team. Our shop is closed for the past fortnight because we have been busy here. I will open it only after Sunday,” Lalit said.
The brothers with their group of 150 people also make sure that they do not get carried away while cheering the team.
“We make noise but not when the players are serving. We fully cooperate with the umpires. We have taught this to new people who join us.
Now even a kid in our group knows when to be quiet,” said Lalit who rates Bhupathi as the best Indian tennis player.
Mongia brothers have fond memories of the Jaipur tie where they had gone to cheer the Indian team against Uzbekistan in 2005.
” I remember we played very well against Uzbekistan. We cheered them with our hearts out. Even Rajasthan Chief Minister came, shook hands with me and took a picture together. It came in all the Jaipur newspapers the next day, he proudly recounted.
Ask them the reason behind their repeated chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and they say that this the best way to encourage a player to do well.
” The chant gives one goose bumps, I am sure players too feel that way.”