any one who has seen Vinod Rayar sear past the opposition with nonchalant ease would testify to his potential. The striker instantaneously startles observers with his quicksilver sallies and dexterous stick-work. All the same, one shudders in disbe lieve at the simple chances he spills. This rather disconcert ing paradox sums up Rayar, the latest player Tamil Nadu offers to Indian hockey .
Take for example his show against Indian Railways in the recently-held All-India MCC Murugappa Hockey Champion ship. Rayar unleashed a peach of a reverse hit, after a hypnotic solo-dribble from outside the ‘D’ to seize the lead for his side. The level-headedness he displayed was very impressive. Unfazed by the charging goal-keeper, Rayar waited a split-second for the ripe opportu nity and angle to fire in the shot.
Exactly at the point the goalkeeper paced his dive, Rayar tricked him with a dodge to his right and blast ed the ball into the vacant post. But after setting such lofty standards, Rayar failed to connect a measured pass to the open post.
This profligate trait is naturally disappointing for the young ster, but not to the extent of disil lusionment. “I have sometimes miss chances that I should have converted. Maybe, I get hasty at times or get too nervous. But with more exposure, I am sure I can be more clinical and con vert more chances,” says Ra yar. It is this willingness to admit and rectify his mis takes that sets him apart from a majority of youngsters.
Born in a sports-loving family in Trichy, Rayar’s inclina tion towards sports was natural. But it was his brother, a hockey player himself, who fostered the passion for hockey in him. Imbibing the basics of the game from the Trichy Ordnance factory play ers, Rayar polished his skills at the Tirunelveli Sports Hostel. His ongoing-stint at the Sports Authority of India hostel in Chennai, under the watchful eyes of coach Manoharan, has further fine-tuned his technique.
The youngster first came to the fore in the 2007 National Juniors in Chennai. Belting 14 goals, mostly stylish, Rayar was adjudged the best forward of the meet. Selected for the subsequent junior national camp, only a stroke of misfortune prevented Rayar from being in the national junior side for an overseas tour: He came across visa problems and could not join the colts. He was never in the reckoning after that, and as he turned 21 this year, he can longer be in the reckoning. “It was a major disappointment. But I have overcome it,” he maintains.
Yet he has to traverse the longer route to be on the national radar. But his unflinching desire to don national colours only drives him forward. “If I apply myself and work harder, I believe I can play for India one day . But first I want to prove my quality and consistency at the national level. I want to participate in as many as domestic tournaments as possible. Playing in the Premier Hockey League is another dream. I was in the camp last year, but couldn’t get through. Maybe this year I will,” he says.
Meanwhile, Rayar is relishing his debut season with the Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai senior league champions for the past nine years. Alongside former India forward Adam Sinclair, Rayar has already become a vital cog in IOB’s scheme of things. Rayar was instrumental in taking IOB to the semifinals of the Murugappa Championship.
“My performance augurs well for me and I am gaining a lot of exposure. The presence of senior players like Adam Sinclair and Senthil in the IOB team has helped me a lot. The team spirit is good and I’m enjoying the game,” he informs. Sinclair is effusive in his praise of Rayar. “He is technically sound and deceptively quick. His presence of mind and resourcefulness are such that he creates many openings even when the scenario appears bleak. He is one for the future,” he observes.
If he fulfils his potential, there is no reason why Rayar shouldn’t play for India.
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