By Nandakumar Marar

Mumbai: Talented sportspersons coming from tough backgrounds stay on course, reach their goal on the strength of self-belief. With the options away from sports very limited for these strugglers, the focus is unwavering. Venkatesh Devkar is among the many around the country hoping to make a living from hockey, when circumstances force talents like him to take a tough call about sports or survival.

Viren Rasquinha: A timely thought and action

The 23-year-old is among the 220 to receive a one-time grant of Rs 10,000 from a hockey initiative called LetsStickTogether, organised by Olympic Gold Quest and GoSports Foundation, the lead taken by former India midfielder, Viren Rasquinha (OGQ). Funds collected via donations by the two non-profit bodies were disbursed among needy young players, coaches, ground staff across India.

The beneficiaries were identified by a network of trusted hands. Venkatesh comes from Maharashtra’s Nanded district, not a hockey place like Khadki and was exposed to hockey and football in Mumbai, staying in Shelter Don Bosco after an accidental separation from family during a trip to the city. His parents came looking for work, the six-year-old got lost and reached the Shelter.

Bombay Republicans club inducted the hard-working lad into the ranks and he did not disappoint his hockey mentors, especially Mumbai Customs player Conroy Remedios then coaching the Shelter boys. The youngster graduated to the Mumbai team for 2014 Jr National Hockey Championship, played three Sr Nationals including the 2020 edition staged at Jhansi. Mumbai reached the quarterfinals against Services.

Venkatesh recalls: “My first quarterfinal in the Seniors, that too against Services was a blessing. I was tense before the start, senior teammates Yuvraj Walmiki, Amit Gowda (both internationals) helped me settle down as soon we stepped on the turf.” He had  donned the famous Khalsa College colours in Mumbai inter-collegiate and all-India Inter-University tournaments.

Remedios says: “Venky is one of the hockey talents who needs support at the right time. He is always working hard at his game, we are trying to make him get used to different positions.“  A member of Mumbai’s forwardline at the Sr Nationals, he also plays in the midfield and earned ‘Best Player’ award at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana rink hockey 2019. Bombay Republicans won.

Venkatesh Devkar fondly recollects the timely help he received in difficult pandemic times

There comes a time in everyone’s life when passions have to be set aside for survival, Venkatesh if familiar with the situation. The pandemic is the latest crisis, leaving him wondering about his sporting future in Mumbai, the fate of siblings and parents in Nanded amidst dwindling resources due to lack of a job. “He needs a job to continue playing hockey. The family needs his support,” says Remedios.

The Rs 10,000 grant helped the Mumbai forward repair a broken metal roof at home in Nanded before the monsoon set in, also arrange provisions for a large family with no member having a regular income. “Father and brother have started earning, doing whatever jobs offered now that things are opening up. It was tough in the months from March, no work and no money.”

Venkatesh had come close to a break down earlier when balancing study at Rizvi College (Bandra), training at MHAL stadium (for Republicans) and trying to find work. “Education and hockey together is tough, I did small jobs to send money home to mom. At one point, I prayed to god for food as reporting for training hungry got to me.” The club sanctioned a diet allowance.

Education is the anchor in his life, from the time Shelter Don Bosco staff hand-held their one-time resident to successfully prepare for SSC, HSC, Commerce degree exams. Khalsa College accepted Venkatesh’s application for an MA course and a hockey scholarship. Onkar Singh, Director of Sports, was a part of the 1975 World Cup Hockey winning squad under Ajitpal Singh’s captaincy.

Conroy Remedios is firmly rooted in all activities of the famed Republican Club

The multi-skilled player captained Khalsa in tournaments, will remain a Republicans product like many in the city. He does not know what the future holds for him and other players, post-lockdown.

“God is on our side, otherwise help from LetsStickTogether may not have happened at a time when the next meal was a question mark,” says the Mumbai forward, ready to stick with hockey.

Remedios concludes: “Venkatesh is one among many cases deserving support in these times. Mumbai has many players in similar situations, help now for families will convince parents to let their kids continue playing. We are doing our part to keep them motivated. I hope others with more resources get involved and convince players to hang on till sports resumes.”

Factbox
Let’s Stick Together identified hockey nurseries in the country (Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Odisha, Haryana and Delhi) for support to grassroot players/coaches/groundstaff, with the stipulation that 30 per cent of beneficiaries should be females. OGQ and GoSports support sporting talent, emerging and established, to prepare for international competitions with the focus on titles for India.

Pics Courtesy: Republican Club, Mumbai