Olympic medallist visits Chandigarh Hockey Academy: ‘What started as a dream here in 2010 has finally seen light of day (in 2024)’

It was in late 2010 that a young Kumar took the bus from his Dabra village near Hisar in Haryana to appear for the hockey trials for the residential academy in Sector 42 Sports Complex. With his father Neki Ram being a small-time farmer, Kumar had appeared for the trials in the hope that his expenses would be met. The next eight years would see Kumar making his way to Chandigarh sub-junior and junior as well as senior teams guiding Chandigarh to sub-junior national title in 2015 before he became the vice-captain of the Indian junior team in the 2021 FIH Junior World Cup. He scored two hat-tricks in the junior world cup and was also part of the 2023 Asian Games gold medal-winning Indian hockey team in Hangzhou.

Sanjay Kumar, a former CHA trainee and member of Paris Olympics bronze medal winning Indian hockey team, cuts the cake at Sector 42 Sports Complex.

“When I had joined the academy, I would hear about international players like Deepak Thakur and Baljit Singh Dadhwal and often watch their training sessions. To watch them in an Indian jersey was motivating for me. I would also learn the drag-flick from Gurjinder Singh, another Indian player,” says Kumar.

As he is called to cut the medal celebration cake, Kumar is hugged by his coach Gurminder Singh and Hockey Chandigarh secretary Anil Vohra. Kumar also meets Surinder Singh, warden of the Chandigarh Hockey Academy residential hostel for the last 18 years. Kumar is quick to touch his feet. After the cake- cutting, Kumar visits the hostel mess as well as room number seven, his first room in the academy to show the Olympic medal to mess workers as well as trainees.

“Out of all my hostel residents in the last 18 years, Sanjay Kumar has been one of the courteous and obedient kids. Yes, he is a fierce competitor on the hockey field but he is a disciplined boy, who would also listen to our harsh words with patience. This Olympic medal was carved in this hostel and it’s the sweat and hard work of Sanjay all these years,” says Surinder Singh.

Sanjay Kumar, a former CHA trainee and member of Paris Olympics bronze medal winning Indian hockey team, given a guard of honour by hockey sticks by trainees at Sector 42 Sports Complex.

The hostel warden is also joined by cook Anu, who also touches the bronze medal and gives Kumar a tight hug. “Sanjay likes paneer sabzi and he would always ask for more (laughs). This Olympic medal remains the pride of our mess,” says Anu while speaking with The Indian Express.

Outside his old room number seven, Kumar is met by some of the hockey trainees. Kumar is quick to share with them his days of staying as a trainee at the hostel. “Initially, I missed my mother Kaushalya Devi and sisters Rinku and Manisha apart from my father Neki Ram a lot. But then the hostel became my family and part of all the highs and lows,” remembers Kumar.

The forward, who has played in more than 35 matches for India, counts the quarter-final against Great Britain as the biggest moment of his career. Playing with 10 players after Amit Rohildas was shown the red card, India won the match in shoot-out on their way to win their second consecutive bronze. “We all were clear in mind that we have come to win a medal and nothing can come between that dream. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front and his leadership qualities came to the test during the quarter-final. Coach Craig Fulton has instilled the idea of winning our last match in any tournament, be it the final or medal match, and we all believe in that,” says Kumar.

As coach Gurminder Singh calls up the trainees to listen to Kumar, the coach is quick to share Kumar’s days as a trainee. While Kumar still trains at the academy as a Khelo India trainee, Gurminder Singh would ask each trainee to see the Olympic bronze medal. “We have seen the likes of Ruupinder Pal Singh and Gurjant Singh winning bronze in the Tokyo Olympics and this time, Gurjant and Sanjay have done the same. Sanjay has been the pillar of Chandigarh hockey and it is heartening to see him today with the Olympics medal,” says the coach.

Kumar had also a word of advice for the young trainees. “When I came, I was one of the juniors but then made my way to be a senior player in the junior teams. It was my first Olympics and we looked at senior players for motivation. Our time will also come to take the leadership role. So keep dreaming about this journey,” says Kumar.

Kumar has only one regret though. “Nobody from the UT Administration or Sports Department has contacted us till now. We hope that it won’t be the same after this Olympics medal,” signs off Kumar as he is called up by the hostel mess staff for another selfie and another round of sweets.