Gurung goes great guns in goal

Performing splendidly under the cross-piece for Central Railway, Gurung duly merited a call-up to the camp at the Mahindra Stadium here.

It is not Gurung’s first exposure to big time.

He recalls a fine display at the National Championship last year where he, ironically, helped Air-India destroy Bombay’s chances for a medal in the hardlines match at Bangalore. Gurung stepped on to the pitch when his side were 0-2 down. He then braved all that Dhanraj Pillay, Gavin Ferreira, Sabu Varkey and company threw at him as the airmen fought back to win.

Gurung misses Air-India agreat deal. “I always dreamt of playing for Air-India,” he says. “When I joined them after I graduated from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), it was like a dream come true. It hurt to leave them but I had to for the sake of my future.”

“Air-India had no job vacancies and an offer from Central Railway compelled me to move,” Gurung explains the bitter-sweet transition.

Gurung goes down memory lane: “Air-India is one of the best teams in the country. They train hard and are very sound in tactics. Their planning is superb, both on and off the field.”

He regrets missing an opportunity of enjoying former national coach Cedric D’Souza’s tutelage but gained from the exacting drills that Air-India sides put themselves through.

He acknowledges help rendered by Edgar Mascarenhas (Jr), first-choice ‘keeper. “I gained a lot from Edgar.”

The Khalsa collegian, clear in thought on the demands of his role on the hockey pitch, discerns the mind-boggling task facing the last line of defence in the no-offside era.

Gurung says, “If the opposing forwards run well, life can be hell for the goalkeeper.”

“We now have to play every diagonal ball and goalkeepers must enjoy perfect understanding with their defenders. That’s the key point.”

Gurung, born in Nashik where his father, a retired captain, served at the Artillery Centre, spent time in Darjeeling before finishing school at Don Bosco in Baroda.

An equally adept footballer, Gurung put hockey before soccer. He began playing hockey as a centre-forward before stepping into goal when the first choice ‘keeper of his school team one day failed to turn up.

Inspired by Ashish Balal, one of the most illustrious Indians to don pads and mask, Gurung praises the stalwart’s confidence and concentration. “Everything about him is just great. Just his sheer presence in goal is inspiring.”

Gurung believes a clinic held by Dutchman Tom van’t Hek at Mumbai in 1996 aided vital improvement in his defence against penalty corners. “The clinic taught me to go downon one knee to block hits and remain standing to a flick or a scoop. It forbade lying prostrate,” he said.

Gurung chose to live in Mumbai on advise from a director at SAI, Gandhinagar, who felt his talents and abilities would find better expression in Mumbai.

The move fetched rich dividends in good time. A slot in Air-India, quick to spot the youngster’s talent, followed. Representation at the National Championships the high point of his career so far compounded fortune.

He honed his skills further while assisting Khalsa College and earned the colours of Bombay University to the All-India Varsity Championships.

Gurung is profuse in praise for his mentor Ranjit Dalvi, coach of the the city’s Varsity squad and a “great motivater and guide”.

Dalvi, an active hockey umpire and journalist, is confident of his ward. He sizes up his pupil: “Gurung is obedient, hard-working and has all the qualities required of a goalkeeper, not the least a good eye and quick reflexes.”

Gurung is well on his way tokeeping up a fine family tradition. His father was a keen footballer. His two elder sisters, fine exponents at martial arts, having graced the national stage with aplomb.

His combative abilities in the most challenging of sporting roles then comes as no surprise.