Not many areas in India where sports gets precedence over academics.
This boy belongs to the uniquely different Indian milieu.
“At our place, parents are happy if their children show more interest in sports than in studies.”
It’s no surprise therefore that a 22-year old Darshan Aiyappa, hailing from Coorg area in Karnataka, debuted for the Indian team in the Asian Champions Trophy, Doha, Qatar, recently.
However, its some sort of academic excellence that landed Aiyappa in the hockey arena in the first place, and it was him getting a hockey stick which changed his sporting choice once for all.
When Aiyappa was in the seventh standard, he got 6th‘rank’—only the top ten students are ranked — and that is when his parents gifted him a hockey stick.
Till then, Aiyappa used to play only Cricket and Basketball. That small gift changed his life. His parents never knew that their son will one day write a new chapter in their family history, will go on to represent Indian national hockey team.
Once got a hockey sticks, nothing stopped him from going up and up in the hockey ladder.
Ultimately when he joined the SAI Sports Hostel, things looked brighter than ever.
He got selected for Karnataka State to represent in both Junior and Senior Nationals, where his team reached the finals too.
His progress may haven gradual, and on a systemic process but the Aiyappa entry into the National team, according to him, is with a spec of divine intervention.
“I believe in God,” tells Aiyappa, “One fine day in Delhi, few weeks back, coach Nobbs called me and a couple of others. He informed us that I will be going for the upcoming Doha tour and there I have to prove my worth to wear the Indian jersey. On that day, I thanked God and my happiness knew no bounds. I called my parents and told them first.”
Being part of Doha team that won the Silver, Aiyappa has entered a pantheon of Coorg greats who graced Indian hockey over five decades from MP Ganesh down to contemporary star Aiyappa.
Aiyappa is a Chetan Bhagat’s fan, has been picked by Ric Charlesworth to be a part of Mumbai Marines team in the Hockey India League.
“Charlesworth is the World No.1 coach. It will be a great learning experience, I am looking forward to HIL,” says visibly excited Aiyappa.
He may be young, but oozes wisdom when confronted with questions of his career, especially how he takes adverse comments, which is normal in any aspiring hockey players’ career.
“Criticism doesn’t bother me at all, but yes, if something is said about my parents, it does affect me,” says this Arts graduate.
And then what are the big plans now that he has already made it to the Indian team?
“To play for India as long as possible”.
It should not be a problem for him as, inter alia, he hails from an area where sporting excellence is truly respected, even more than Indian parents universal obsession with studies.
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