Sunil missed father’s funeral to help India win Azlan Shah title

By: Sanjjeev K Samyal Date: 2009-04-13
Mumbai:

Forward Sunil says he did not attend his father’s funeral so that he could help India win the Azlan Shah tourney

He was not among the goalscorers or the star play maker during India’s 3-1 win over hosts Malaysia in the final of the Azlan Shah hockey tournament yesterday. But ask the Indian players who the real hero of their campaign was and winger SV Sunil is an unanimous choice.

The team dedicated the triumph, which ended a 13-year wait for their fourth Azlan Shah title, to Sunil for his courageous sacrifice of not allowing his personal grief to affect his team’s cause.

The young forward lost his father SM Vithalacharya, during the tournament but decided against leaving the team mid-way to attend the funeral and instead channeled his energy to win the trophy for his father.

“As India captain I salute Sunil for his sacrifice for the team. Ek sache fauji ki tarah usne jung ladi hai desh ke liye (Like a true armyman, he fought for the country),” said Sandeep Singh, India’s captain, the highest scorer and best player of the tournament.

Courageous
“He did not let it show that he was in mourning. It was amazing to see him play his normal game after such a big shock,” said Sandeep.

With his duty to his team accomplished, Sunil thought about his dad, who expired on the eve of India’s game against Egypt on April 4. “I dedicate this win to my father. It is a very important victory for me. My only regret is that I could not see him for the last time,” Sunil told MiD DAY from his hotel room in Malaysia.

“I wanted to do it, so that his soul would rest in peace. The last time I met him was when I had gone home before the camp. He had told me, ‘accha player bano,’ ” said Sunil, who hails from Coorg and is a Hawaldar with the Army Service Corps, Bangalore.

“The team had told me that they wanted to win the title for me. The coach and captain thanked me after the final and all the players came and hugged me. My eyes were moist and I could not say anything as it was a very emotional moment for me.

“Coach Harendra Singh gave me the example of former India player Hardip Singh, who also lost his father during the Azlan Shah tournament in 1985.

“He sacrificed for the team and stayed back. He went on to play very well. It provided me inspiration,” said Sunil.

I said to myself, why can’t I do it?’ My aim is to serve the country and do whatever I can for it.

Courtesy: Mumbai MiD Day