With BOSM just around the corner, the BOSM English Press sat down with Rupen Kakuste, Captain of the boys’ football team, to learn more about their preparations for the fest.

Rupen mentioned that with the arrival of the new coach, the training sessions had become stricter and more organised. They now had ‘rigorous’ practice for two hours each day. Playing as a left winger, he remarked that the coach did not discriminate between the captain and the other players, and could bench any player if they did not perform well. He expressed hope that their training would pay off and yield positive results during BOSM.

He explained that the training consisted of different drills for different positions. Specifically, for the past few weeks, the focus had shifted more towards positions and tactics rather than general fitness. For example, the forwards had specific exercises for crossing, passing, and finishing, while the defenders practised tackling and pressing. The goalkeeper underwent a combination of all position-specific drills, as he needed to perfect his reflexes and be on his toes for the entire game. He mentioned that the training would not become more rigorous in the weeks leading up to BOSM, in order to avoid injury risks.

On the subject of injuries, Rupen remarked that they had faced many injury scares over the past couple of weeks, including key tactical players who had to be ruled out of BOSM. He himself sustained an injury a few hours before the interview, but was expected to heal quickly. He remarked that he had spoken to the Sports Union as well as the EMU about the deteriorating condition of the ground, which was unlevelled and riddled with multiple ankle-deep holes. It had rendered the players prone to many injuries, such as ACL tears and ankle twists. He remarked that the administration—particularly one individual—had been highly uncooperative regarding the field conditions.

Talking about his motivation for football, Rupen mentioned that he had been playing since his childhood, with his initial interest emerging out of the will to knock off an ‘overrated’ rival in school. ‘The game itself is what keeps me in the game,’ he remarked.

Rupen expressed satisfaction with the way the team was shaping up, with all players giving their blood, sweat, and tears for the squad. He said that leadership on the pitch is not confined to the captain alone—a lot of players had to take charge in different positions. He highlighted that around 150 first-year students had applied for the team, out of which three were selected, and were now emerging as key contributors.

Rupen wished to settle the score with some of the team’s rivals and hoped to lead the team to a gold medal—something they had not achieved in the past ten years. He requested all BITSians to support and cheer for the football team.