Raj Kumar Pal, a crucial member of the the Indian men's hockey team, is preparing for his Olympic debut in Paris and recalled how he couldn't hold back his tears when he found his name in the squad for the Games announced by Hockey India a few weeks ago.
Raj Kumar first drew attention when he was chosen for a five-nation U-23 tournament in Belgium in 2018. But his journey from the streets of Karampur is a story worth telling.
Youngest of three brothers, with Jokhan and Raju elder to him and also play hockey, Raj Kumar joined the Meghbaran stadium at the age of 10, where coach Tej Bahadur Singh took an interest in all three Pal brothers. In 2012, he enrolled in the SAI Lucknow hostel and was inspired by the speed and technique of Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, who had been a batchmate of Jokhan's.
Talking about his friendship with Lalit, Raj Kumar expressed, "I was always encouraged by Lalit bhai who made me understand that it was okay to make mistakes but the most important part is to learn from those mistakes and never make them again. He has always supported me. Most of the time, after we have played a match, I used to pick his brains on what mistakes I made in the match, and where I can improve myself. He always used to tell me very calmly."
David John, the high-performance director of hockey in Odisha, recognized Raj Kumar's exceptional skills during the Senior National Championships held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Hostel in 2018. Impressed by his performance, John invited him to join the national camp alongside the senior Indian men's hockey team.
With his sights set on the upcoming Paris Olympics, Raj Kumar remains focused on his journey, taking each game as it comes.
His dedication and determination drive him forward as he strives to make his mark on the international stage.
"My entire focus is on Paris Olympics. I know what is at stake here and there is no room to make any mistakes whatsoever. I am taking nothing for granted and planning to take one game at a time,” said Raj Kumar, who has earned 53 international caps till date.
"It has been a dream for me to represent my country at the Olympics. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time now and now that I am here, it feels surreal. When I got the news of my selection in the Olympics-bound team, I cried remembering what I have been through and I missed my father. When I called home, I remember my mother crying, but those were happy tears. My family has sacrificed a lot and it is about time that I pay them back with a gold medal," he signed off.
India's campaign in Pool B kicks off with the match against New Zealand on July 27.
