DIWAKAR RAM’S EMERGENCE COMES AS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN THE DARKEST SEASON IN INDIAN HOCKEY

Varanasi: From flicking around a hockey stick as a little child in Gorakhpur to scoring crucial goals in the semifinals and final of the Junior Asia Cup in Hyderabad, penalty corner specialist Diwakar Ram has come a long way. With his dominating style of play and the ability to beat the best of goalkeepers with scorching drag-flicks, this small town boy is set to take the world of hockey by storm.

The exploits of this ‘drag terror’, who scored 10 goals in the tournament, have given his family reasons to celebrate. “As a child, he was always interested in hockey and was always trying to watch as many games as possible. His flicks and scoops are simply great,” gushed Subhakar Ram, Diwakar’s younger brother.

Diwakar’s father Indrajeet Ram, who works in the mechanical department of the Railways in Gorakhpur, was encouraged by his son’s interest in the game and supported his dreams. “My wife and I used to wake up with Diwakar at dawn every morning and send him for training,’ remembers Indrajeet adding, “We wanted him to be in a class of his own, and I was simply proud that my son was mastering country’s national sport.”

Diwakar was greatly influenced and motivated by his elder brother Prabhakar, who is in the air force, and is a noted hockey player himself. Indrajeet said that they always felt that Diwakar was a special talent as he soon joined the Sports Hostel in Lucknow. He later joined Indian Oil in Bangalore and made his junior international debut at the Monchengladbach eight-nation tournament in 2007.

He made his senior debut this year in the Test series against Belgium. Diwakar made a mark at the Kuala Lumpur eight-nation invitation tournament earlier this year with 12 goals, and scored another four when the team won silver in the Azlan Shah Cup in May.

“Diwakar’s success is a little overwhelming for the family. Everyone keeps asking for a treat, but my salary isn’t big enough to treat everyone,” joked Indrajeet.

Indrajeet, who hails from Beni Bamhrauli village in Azamgarh district, may not be able to celebrate his son’s successes lavishly now, but as Diwakar and the young Indian team continue their stride ahead, his father may soon have to worry about giving bigger treats!

Bansal heaps praise on his ‘new star’

Hyderabad: After his drag-flicking exploits brought India victory in the junior Asia Cup hockey, Diwakar Ram’s coach AK Bansal hailed the youngster as the new star of Indian hockey. Diwakar Ram scored a brace, including the golden goal against Korea in the final here. “Diwakar had been exceptional throughout the tournament and today also he showed his potential by first rescuing the team with an equaliser and then scoring the tournamentwinning golden goal. India now has two exceptional drag-flickers in him and Sandeep (Singh),” Bansal said while his boys were celebrating after a hardfought 3-2 win.

Bansal conceded that the Koreans were playing better in the first half but heaped praise on his charges for making a brilliant comeback in the second session. “The boys were not playing good in the first half and they were not converting chances that came their way which made the Koreans keep up the pressure. But they came back remarkably well from 0-2 down. Once we scored the first goal it was a real fight back from there,” he said.

“It was a team effort though as in other earlier matches Diwakar came up with an inspiring performance,” Bansal added.

Young Diwakar, who won the trophy for highest goal scorer with 11 goals, was a satisfied man. “I am really feeling good,” he said, adding, “Though the pressure was continuously there but we proved it finally and we did it.”

“India failed to make it to the Olympics but this win was really good. From here I will work harder to do more for my country,” he added. AGENCIES