Will miss my idol Taekema: Rupinder

By Biswajyoti Brahma

NEW DELHI: Delhi Waveriders’ drag flick expert Rupinder Pal Singh has been in high spirits after the Hockey India League (HIL) auction. However, on Thursday, he was feeling a little low after learning that his childhood hero Taeke Taekema has pulled out of the HIL.

The veteran Dutch penalty corner (PC) expert, one of the star players in the competition, has been ruled due to a back problem. “I grew up watching the likes of Taeke Taekama and Jugraj Singh. I was very happy when he was picked in our team. I was hoping to learn many things from him. It would have helped me sharpen my drag-flicking skills. I am really sad to miss the opportunity to play with him,” Rupinder told TOI on Thursday.

Taekema’s absence means the burden of taking drag-flicks during PCs would be squarely on Rupinder shoulders, but the tall player from Punjab is up for the challenge. “His absence will be felt in the defence but I think other players will be ready to raise their game. I hope I will rise to the occasion and deliver for the team. Since I am the lone dragflicker in the team, I would be getting more chance to take penalty corners,” he said.

Rupinder said the team was ready for the big challenge in the HIL and young players like him will benefit from the experience of their advisor Ajitpal Singh, the former Indian World Cup-winning captain. “We have been training well and we are working on different areas with special focus on penalty corners. We have a good team and share a good camaraderie even outside the field. Ajitpal sir has been sharing his experiences with us and giving us advice on improving our game. We are certainly benefitting from his experience.”

Rupinder said HIL gives an important platform to young players to show their abilities to the world. “This is very good platform for the young players. Some good performances here can help us catch the national selectors’ attention. It’s also great that players are getting good money,” said the player from Punjab, who was picked by Delhi Waveriders for $56,000 (approx Rs 30 lakh). “I did not expect to get this much. We all will have to justify the faith of people by giving our best.”

Waveriders showcase team

Delhi Waveriders unveiled their team, captain and coach on Thursday by launching a city-based campaign, which is aiming at reviving the passion for hockey in the Capital. The team said that under the leadership of captain Sardar Singh, coach Ajay Bansal and guidance of chief advisor Ajit Pal Singh, Waveriders are “all set to create their own wave in the field of hockey”.