Devinder Walmiki: A struggling career takes off in style

Every goal that India struck against vastly improved and fighting France in the Hockey World League Semifinals opener on Sunday merits erudition and adulation.

More so the stunner of a strike by stylish debutant Devinder Walmiki.

The first goal of Manpreet Singh, off the second penalty corner, a grounder that crashed into the right corner of the cage l past the inform French goalie, is first set piece goal by the mad Mithapur lad.

That has partly filled in the vacuum created by injuries of V. Raghunath and his replacement Rupinder Pal Singh.

The third goal that ensured full points for the only Rio team in Antwerp, India, will be against the name of Ramandeep Singh — who seemed to have graduated from Indian hockey’s greatest mis-timer in the striking circle to perfect timer of first shot – but the real credit must go to captain Sardar Singh, who wove cobweb around two defenders to set even Ramandeep to fire on.

But Devinder Walmiki’s goal – he is younger brother of Yuvraj in the team, but taller and better built – is significant development in the youngster’s struggling hockey career.

Devinder, who has humble moorings, has had a painful journey to where he is now.

That goal may do wonders for him, much like the hitherto unknown Shivender Singh at the PHL 2 in Chandigarh.

Its almost shanty like habitats in Mumbai where normally ‘Bawa’ of Bombay catches talents. Meharban Patel ‘Bawa’ picked and nursed Devinder too along with many other ‘Walmikis’ there many are knocking the doors of national team.

Devinder was drafted into the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011.

Among a sea of rustic players there Devinder stood head and shoulders above the rest.

May be he comes from shanty locality in Mumbai maganar, but zeal and spirit has taken him to new heights early in life. A quick learner, Devinder had already played for a season in a Germany Club, and the sophistication of lifestyle he picked up there told at Johor.

He played centre-half, and combined beautifully with left half Pardeep Mor. More than the game, what separated him was his approach on and off the field.

That the 2011 Johor team was poorly managed by coach Mukesh Kumar. The choice of manager in Janardhan Reddy was questionable. But those are a separate story.

The point is, the new team was rude to umpires on the field, one player was even suspended for a match, some misbehaved with crowd, a player even showed finger at crowd after scoring a goal against the host, and etc etc. But the most irritating scene had been questioning and surrounding umpires for every decision! The new faces, unmindful of international platform, behaved much like a Namdhari team would in KSHA or BHA league!

Fortunately, Devinder was among a few players there, to control their team mates, explaining their points in English to umpires and bring some sort of comfort to Indian fans. Most others just surrounded the umpire unable to explain their position that included a surprising choice of captain. Later, even an umpires wanted to know from me what is ‘Bhaji’, is it a polite word or abusive?

However, more often Devinder had to intervene on behalf of captain to bring a semblance of maturity in the game and appeals.

However, misfortune fell on him soon. Devinder opted to play for the WSH guided by ‘Anna’ of Mumbai whom the Walmiki family can hardly ignore.

Devinder had a great WSH tournament as an all rounder, even excelling in drag flicks at PC situations, winning MoM awards, but had to face the wrath of Hockey India.

The two years succeeding WSH is a dark era of Indian hockey, as huge number of talents had been sacrificed at the altar of WSH-HIL fracas.

Sidelined and silenced, young Devinder suffered even suppression.

Its really the spirit and survival of sportsmanship in him that kept him going at those frustrating times.

Devinder Walmiki saw friends below his calibre making big splash with both the National team and Hockey India League, but he had to endure the humiliation of isolation.

Godfathers came in succession, in sync with his elder brother scoring the last of goal at the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy. So also jealousy.

Both brothers had to pay for being popular and famous in Mumbai. While Michael Nobbs somehow kept his faith on Yuvraj, younger Devinder had to undergo the ignominy of negligence.

Even their pay masters shunted them, leaving them stipend / jobless.

Only did recently Railways come to their rescue.

They returned the compliments with HI National Championship title for the Railways.

New coach Paul van Ass’ professional need for speedy and physically strong players came in handy for Devinder to make it to the Antwerp side.

The rest is history.

Don’t make any mistake. Devinder is a kind of stuff who will die for the team’s cause, and on his days can change the course of match on his own.

He is a game changer

What is required is patience from team management, and continued faith in the emerging star.

He will deliver for long.

Antwerp goal is just a beginning.