At 34, AT Rao packs panache in the cage

Ours is a surprise country. Anything can happen anytime belying popular notions. Can you for instance expect any hockey player to make international debut after 30, normally the age most players retire, and make headlines with superb show on the turf.

The same question was asked when Jude Menezes was chosen in the early 2000s. He was in his late 20s when got the nation’s call, but the fact was he was always lurking being three after, say AB Subbaiah and Alloysius Edwards; and when called for the duty, he did it exceedingly well. India in fat won the Champions Challenge with him at the cage in KL.

What Cedric D’Souza did for Jude, Michael Nobbs repeat for PT Rao.

Now, our neo-hero PT Rao stands out not just for his show at Melbourne, where he warded of numerous attacks of Belgium as the last man in the rearguard but also for his age.

The Services player was born in 1978, which means he is now 34 years.

The Hyderabad born, Bangalore living PT Rao, was called for the camp only recently, and was selected along side Olympian PR Sreejesh. However, the latter had to return midway due to an injury he suffered in the Super Series Hockey 9s in Perth, Australia.

Dimunitive Rao, who is at present working for Madras Engineering Group in Bangalore grabbed the chances with both hands, its for sure.

Earlier, he played for Bangalore Lions which won the Premier Hockey League twice.

Rao was often in the junior preparatory camps but the senior entry always eluded.

The way he played at Melbourne shows his willingness to perform, and take load besides patience.

Many of his peers claim he has given up goalkeeping and presented his kits to an up and coming player recently, However, the things went pleasantly for him.

When he was called for the Patiala camp post London Olympics, he had to purchase new kit.

Has India failed to spot talents like PT Rao? How many Raos are there in India beyond the glare of national selectors?

Incidentally, PT Rao fillips a place which his former colleague Bharat Chetri vacated. Both play for the Services though of late Chetri moved to Canara Bank from Services.

Its amazing a person keeps his hockey interest as long as Rao’s, and then in the first opportunity to showcase his skills, he triumphs.

People often say goalkeepers mature with age and for once we won’t dispute that.

Ramesh Paramesaran, now coach of the Indian Oil and formerly for the Bangalore Lions / HiFliers, the teams that Rao played for, was right when he said to during the Nehru Cup recenlty. I asked him is it right to select a player at this age, he said: ‘Age has no bar’.

This is what Jude Menezes, who is now settled in New Zealand, has to say about PT Rao’s late debut.

“I think if PT Rao is fit and is good then he should play. He is having a great tournament so far. Age should not be the criteria in my opinion. Goal keepers mature with age. He will be playing his best hockey now”.

“Am really happy for him. Great to see his hard work paying off”.