Devinder Walmiki: “I dedicate my selection to my brother and family”
Devinder Walmiki yesterday was an emotion personified. He could not believe the day has come, and his dream has fructified.
‘I am going to be an Olympian’.
This feeling engulfed the youngster who has seen deep lows, plateau, pains before the peak of Rio scaled.
“I know I did well in all the opportunities provided to me in the recent past and was hopeful of making it to the Olympics. When it dawned today that I really made it I cannot but thank the Almighty for bestowing the grace” the all rounder said moments after receiving tickets, shawl and momento from BJP President Amit Shah, triple Olympian Harbinder Singh and Union Minister for Sports, Vijay Goel, respectively.
It was a Hockey India’s impeccable Team Announcement Function.
Drapped in blue band-gala suit, that added further flip to the shining persona of Devinder Walmiki obviously had no appropriate words to describe his emotion.
However, he was, moments later, in his self.
“My brother Yuvraj just missed out last time for the Olympics. I dedicate my selection to him (Yuvraj Walmiki)” said grateful younger sibling.
My elevation is due to the support and encouragement I got from my mother, my brother”, he added.
Young Devinder’s career took off dramatically, before plunging logarithmically downwards and then suffered as much as turns and twists in the Indian hockey politics, underwent.
He was selected for the maiden Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011, but his preference, following ill-advice of so called advisors, took him to lows. He preferred to play for the World Hockey Series, where he showcased his talent as an all rounder including converting penalty corners aplenty.
Two formative years were lost, as every star who participated in the WSH has been ruthlessly sidelined by the Hockey India, which was contemplating its own league called Hockey India League.
Once the WSH died its own, and much time has lapsed, he was recalled, an opportunity that the energetic younger lapped it up with both hands.
His performance in the last World Series Final in Raipur brought him into limelight.
Then the London Champions Trophy brightened his prospects.
Roelant Oltmans, who has a sharp eye for talent scouting and polishing, used him sparingly, bringing almost in the third quarters.
This spell always saw strategic change.
It is at this juncture, he came out with sterling shows, even puncturing world’s best goalies.
And, as destiny’s irresistible child, he is there for Rio show.
Having played an European Club, and gone through ups and downs in so short a spell, Devinder today is a mature boy.
A boy whose allrounderism will be in focus in the coming days.
“Getting selected in one part. Now, my focus is to live upto the expectations of everyone” Devinder says.
He will. We feel.
He then rushed to nearby hoarding where some of his peers were surrounding Dhanraj Pillay for selfie momement.