‘’Even in my wildest dream, I never thought I would be playing alongside the likes of Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon,’’. An unassuming Indian midfielder Viren Rasquinha says. A Grade A officer with the Indian Oil, Viren’s life began in the bylanes of Bandra. The institution that played a part in his hockey upbringing was none other than St Stanislaus High School, which has a long tradition of hockey. Name the hockey greats from Mumbai and you will find most of them coming from this institution. Joaquim Carvalho, Marcelus Gomes, John Fernandes and many more.

However, it was the goalkeeper of yesteryears John Pinto that acted as Viren’s greatest inspiration. It wasn’t hockey that was prominent in his mind when he thought about his future. A brilliant student in school, Viren would have been fitted into any top company at any top position. ‘’Hockey never came to my mind when I started off. I never even thought I would be playing for India. In school I was a better footballer than a hockey player,’’ Viren claims. When he finished school he took admission in MMK Commerce College, which has absolutely zero hockey background. However, it was the effort of talent scout Marzban Patel aka ‘Bawa’, that kept Viren’s interest blooming.

Representing the Bombay Republican Club at Mumbai hockey league, was the only exposure Viren could get. Playing for Mumbai at sub-junior level opened avenues as people started taking notice of this fragile midfielder who could transform his physical shortcomings into a powerful game, with intelligent play. Quality education did play a major part in the rise of Viren Rasquinha. He was a sure Masters in Business Administration prospects but he had to give up in order to pursue his hockey interests.

He knew exactly where to pass the ball and when to release that all-important pass that could change the course of the game. All this on grass, when the turf in Mumbai lay in decayed state for nearly five years. Viren took a step higher and joined Tata Sports Club under Clarence Lobo. It was here where Viren not only played the Super League but also toured outside Mumbai more often to taste the hockey life on Indian soil.
Not for long. One of India’s major clubs, Air-India, decided that Viren was needed. With Edward Aranha in the frontline, Gavin Ferreira in centre, Anil Aldrin as full back to rely on and Darryl D’Souza as coach, Viren learnt the art of international play rather easily.
The Air-India of 1999-2000 was no less than a experimental side that challenged the traditional hockey powers to add an altogether a different colour to hockey. Much appreciated, Air-India won many laurels all over the country. ‘’It was here where I matured as a player. I knew exactly what my role on field was. There were some shortcomings which by now I knew how to tackle,’’ the midfielder reveals. While all this was happening, Viren also gave his third year B.Com exam and graduated with flying colours, securing first class.
‘’If it wasn’t for hockey I could have studied more. Even at this stage I had no intention or knowledge where I would be in next few years,’’ he informs. But there was a sudden turn in 2001. A few months after his graduation, India won the Junior World Cup in Hobart led by Gagan Ajit Singh under the tutelage of current India coach Rajinder Singh. ‘’It was a huge morale booster. It was unbelievable. The dream of getting into the Indian side began here. Now I knew exactly what life had in store for me,’’ the midfielder recalls.

The huge welcome at the Mumbai international airport, was awesome. Media in every form waited for over and hour in the wee hours of morning for the champions to return. Then emerged Viren with the team. ‘’It was a special and most cherished moment. To win a tournament and return home. Return to Mumbai. I was a little embarrassed to face the media”, he recalls. After an early morning breakfast at the Centaur Hotel, Viren took a cab home. His proud parents, who followed the tournament on the net, were waiting from the time India had claimed the title.

NOTE: Rest in the Book

Mufeed M. Rizvi, 29, is with Bombay Mid Day newspaper since 1998 after a stint in the Asian Age, also in Mumbai. He covered school and college hockey extensively. He also covered the 2002 World Cup and the Asian Games. Contact: mufeed@mid-day.com