Basketballer Pritish utilises lockdown period to learn synthesizer

Pritish Kokate (right) learns the synthesizer from brother Shubham

The 21-day nationwide lockdown has made most globe-trotting athletes stay confined to their homes. This 'me time' has also given them an opportunity to explore their hobbies, something they otherwise never had any time for.

Maharashtra's promising basketball player Pritish Kokate, 17, who is a part of the NBA Academy India, has generally been at his base in Greater Noida for last two years, but thanks to lockdown, he is now able to spend time with his family in Pune.

Kokate's new routine since last one week has been to practice his skills a bit at his Green Society colony ground near Balewadi and later work on his fitness.

However, from afternoon onwards, Kokate teams up with his elder brother Shubham to learn the synthesizer, an electronic device that generates musical sound.

"I am trying to learn the synthesizer from my elder brother, who is working from home. It is my hobby as well a stress buster. It is also helping me to improve my hand-eye coordination because you have to press specific keys to generate certain sounds and the right rhythm. We are enjoying each other's company. Even our parents [Jitesh and Samidha] join us," Kokate told mid-day from Pune.

Kokate, a Class XII student, is also utilising his time to prepare for SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) as he aims to enroll in an American University next year.

"My goal is to play in the NBA. So, I am planning to do my higher studies in the United States as that will help me play there," said Kokate, who has represented Maharashtra in six National championships across different age group categories.

Talking about his experience in the NBA program, Kokate, who represented the NBA Academy India side in the European Basketball League (U-16) in Hungary last year, said: "Earlier, I used to play solo but at the NBA Academy, I learnt the importance of passing."

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