Samhar 2009: IIM Calcutta v/s IIM Bangalore

It was ‘Samhar’ time in IIM Calcutta for two days. Samhar is an annual sporting event between IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore with each campus hosting it every alternate year. It started in 2007 with IIM C playing the host.

IIM B had won the previous two editions and last year 15-2 overall score against IIM C was hurting to say the least. This year, the incoming batch showed a lot of enthusiasm right from the time of admissions on the Google group formed for them. They discussed the various sport facilities on the campus, people who had prior experience of playing at respectable levels offered their coaching skills etc. The enthusiasm level was visible this time when we reached the campus. All the courts were always occupied with both batches putting in their best of efforts. I am sure all the captains had a hard time in selecting the players this time!

Finally, on last Friday (August 8, 2009), the contingent from IIM B arrived and was a ‘grand’ welcome (can’t explain here for obvious reasons ;)). There was nothing scheduled for Friday night and the matches started on Saturday morning.
Some of the events were held outside the campus like cricket, hockey, snooker and swimming. Other events like carom, basketball, volleyball, badminton, chess and tennis were held inside the campus. Cricket was one sided in favour of IIM C for a long time but B did a fight while chasing 190 in 25 overs. They lost 7 wickets under 100 runs but ended up with 200 runs odd. Football was 0-0 till the end of the match but C lost 3-0 in the penalty shootout. Girl’s basketball team from B was too good for us but the reverse trend was seen for men’s basketball. One result which we did not expect was losing men’s volleyball and that too in straight sets. C won in snooker, chess, men’s TT and B won in badminton (both men and women), girl’s TT and carrom. C completely dominated athletics and swimming and were easy victories for us.

The final score line read 9-7 in favour of IIM B. Tennis was not completed owing to rains and was tied at 1-1 with one more match to go. In the end, C showed great improvement from last year but B took the trophy third year in a row.