Bengaluru, 18 February 2021: Tamil Nadu’s Mareeswaran Saktivel is one of the up and coming junior stars on the Indian hockey horizon. The 20-year-old is presently part of the 37-member Core Probable group.’ His objective at present is to get selected for the Junior India team and then open the doors of the senior side. He had already represented his state, Tamil Nadu in the senior category and played in the Khelo India Youth Games Guwahati 2020.

                                                                                    Jr. India hockey player Marieewaran Saktivel

Delighted to earn his maiden call-up to the Junior National Coaching Camp, Mareeswaran said:

“I was on a good run of form last year and I was delighted to see my name in the list. My friends and family were also thrilled after hearing about my selection. They don’t want this to be the end, though, and expect me to make further progress. They want me to break into the Senior team someday. But I understand it is a step-by-step process and I first want to show my worth in the India Colts team.”

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the lanky midfielder growing up in Kovilpatti, an industrial town situated about 567 kms from the State capital Chennai. Mareeswaran’s parents, who work at a matchstick factory in his hometown, could barely make ends meet, leave alone afford to buy him a hockey stick.

“Finances were extremely tight at home. Fortunately, I was selected by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) five years ago. That is the turning point in my career”, he said.

The India Colts resumed training last week at SAI, Bengaluru, after undergoing a week-long quarantine period. Mareeswaran feels he’ll come out a better player after the camp, which concludes on May 1, 2021. He is happy that the facilities here at SAI are top notch, be it the gym or the playing arena. He vows to make use of the opportunity

Backed by family support and well-wishers back home, Mareeswaran wants to continue making progress, and eventually, play alongside the top Indian hockey players. He outlined his plans for the future:

“It’s a great feeling to be here [at the camp]. Right now, I am focused on the upcoming Junior Men’s Asia Cup and the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup scheduled for later this year. My dream is to play for the Senior Team someday.”