From hockey glory to Indian lessons

By Biswajyoti Brahma

NEW DELHI: He is not the monk who sold his Ferrari, not yet. But he could well get there.

Floris Evers relinquished the captaincy of one of world’s top hockey teams, the Netherlands, at the age of 29 and announced his retirement from the international stage. This was just a few days after leading his side to a silver medal in the London Olympics.

Despite so much success at the top level, the Dutchman was a restless soul, looking for a meaning in life. He wanted to explore the world, enrich his life with new experiences and his heart told him he would have plenty of that in Africa and the Indian sub-continent. He is now in Goa, learning yoga, surviving on frugal meals.

“After the Olympics, my club ( Amsterdam) was kind enough to grant me leave for five months. I decided to move around the world. I went to Nepal, then Bhutan and I am now in Goa,” Evers told TOI on Tuesday. “In Nepal, I did a lot of trekking and in Bhutan I enjoyed the nature. Here in India, I am doing a course in yoga as well as in eastern philosophy. I am trying to learn more and more about your country.”

Evers landed in Goa late last month and tried to inculcate a bit of Indian culture. That he is making a sincere effort can be gleaned from this December 8 tweet of his: “Vandaag eerste dag van tien dagen bruine rijst en water (Today is the first day of 10 days of brown rice and water).”

“I have decided to survive on only rice and water for 10 days and today is the fourth day,” he said over telephone. “I don’t know how it sounds, but it’s a very tough experience. I don’t know whether I can complete these 10 days.”

Before starting for the sub-continent, Evers, who started his break in October, spent a few days in Africa. “I taught English to children there. From there I went to Nepal where I walked eight hours a day, every day. Now I feel that I am feeling mentally and physically a lot stronger,” said Evers, who was admired in world hockey for his tough-as-nails attitude.

This is a lonely journey for Evers and he is now looking forward to the Christmas which he plans to celebrate in a church in Goa with his Dutch girlfriend.

Despite being away from the game for the last two months, he was quick to respond to queries relating to Indian hockey. “India has a great past and their team has very skillful players. What they need is some confidence. They did not have some great results last year and that dented their confidence. They have to have faith in themselves,” he said.

On the Hockey India League, the striker said: “It is very good for the game and I am looking forward to it. Events like these can help India improve as a team.”