Padhai karne se achha hai,hockey kheloon, a shy Danish Mujtaba says trying to explain why hockey became his passion. It only helped that the Allahabad lad came from a hockey-fanatic family. Danishs father Ghulam is a former state player while his elder brother Humza is currently playing for Indian Oil. His maternal grandfather Itris Ahmed too played hockey while maternal uncle Aatif Itris represented Indian Airlines. My family was closely attached to hockey so no one stopped me from playing and I knew if I stopped playing hockey then I would be forced to study. I continued playing only to run away from studying, says Danish,who adds with visible pride that he completed his graduation recently. At 11,when his maternal uncle took him to hockey ground,the stick stood taller than his height. If I wanted to choose another sport it wouldve been difficult. Its hard to break traditions,I have seen my brother play,heard about my father,so it was an automatic choice, he said. Hockey was one of the many sports played in the mohalla off Shaukat Ali Road,where Danish became the favourite forward,though cricket remained the premier sport. Though Danish found friends who liked hockey,he soon realised he couldnt continue playing in small grounds with lesser known players and teams. At 13,he tried his luck at the Sports Hostel in Lucknow. I was very nervous during the three-day trials,and it was the first big competition for me. Getting selected in the hostel is a big thing in UP, he recalls. The Lucknow hostel polished his skills,but work was still half done,and even after being in the hostel for three years,Danish had never played any national tournament. Danish was disheartened,he had no national reckoning nor an opening to play. That was when my brother Humza told me to try for Air India Academy in Delhi. It was my last chance, Danish said. The youngster feels it was a turning point of his career,and the capital brought him recognition. Finally,the big break happened,Danish was picked for U-18 Indian team,but his early reticence mirrored his initial struggle to get going internationally. Till he scored his first goal in his third match against Singapore,he admits he was very low on confidence. In all those days of struggle,what kept me going was my time at Delhi. At the National Stadium,even if you lie down you can see the India Gate. The monument was an inspiration, he says. His family never thought their son would represent India one day,neither did he. In 2007,Danish didnt know English too well and he was in Germany. Some European approached him asking for directions. Danish just pretended as if someone was calling him,waved randomly,and walked away. Now,he understands English,watches movies too. On the turf too,Danish has shown tremendous diligence in trying to mould himself to fit into Jose Brasas plans. The Indian hockey coach asked him to play as mid-fielder though it took him time to settle down. Danish explains,Forwards are like the final station,mid-fielders have to direct all balls to them. They are the final destination and we are a station before them. But whenever I get the ball I concentrate only on dodging. I kept forgetting,kya karta itna saal forward tha,aadat nahi jaldi jaati. Meanwhile,the boys equation with books has gone from hating to read to befriending a few selectively. But I read them only when Im looking to fall asleep, he quips.
