‘India beat World Champions Germany 3–1 in the Hockey Pro League in Rotterdam.’ After a series of disappointing performance in the Hockey Pro League, this headline will act as a soothing balm for the Indian camp. Although it would not necessarily make a difference to the points table, with the World Cup and Asian Games on the horizon, it would serve as a tonic for future matches.
Incidentally, Amit Rohidas, the veteran Indian defender, had shared his views with RevSportz on the team’s shortcomings before the current leg of the Pro League. “In India, the performance wasn’t good; everyone knows where we made mistakes,” the former India vice-captain said. “Those goals that had to be saved weren’t saved, as silly mistakes were made. Then we played four matches in Australia – against Australia, Spain and Belgium – and it was good. We rotated the players, and we gave a tough fight to Australia and Spain.
“I won’t go much deeper, but whether it is in defence, midfield or attack, there were mistakes. For example, we are not able to go forward; if we do, we are not able to apply pressure. When we went to Australia, we reviewed all of it – how to continue the good things we had done and how to reduce the mistakes – and we did well,” the ace defender added.
The Pro League can also act as a platform to analyse teams that will go on to play in the World Cup. “In the Pro League, there are tough teams, and those very teams end up playing in the World Cup,” he said. “It would give us good preparation. Whatever we have to do, we have to do in these games. There are no matches after that. We accept the mistakes that we have made before, but in those eight matches, we have to do well. Then we have to fight in the World Cup.”
Over a 13-year international career, Amit Rohidas has represented India in many more games than just the Pro League. The decorated hockey player has also been a part of India’s squads that won bronze medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. So, how and when did his journey start?
For Rohidas, the journey was never straightforward. He had to overcome challenges, which included not having access to the basic necessities of life. “If I think about my childhood days, getting a chance to eat twice a day was difficult. My father (Gopal Rohidas) used to play hockey in the village; I started playing only after watching him. I didn’t know what would happen in the future. I was playing just for enjoyment.
“We kept working hard, then got enrolled in the Panposh Sports Hostel. There you get good coaching; the government provides everything – accommodation, food and training. Then through hostel trials, I got selected. My idol is Dilip Tirkey,” he said, with a glint in his eyes.
He continued: “Once I joined the hostel, I learnt that you have to play nationals and All-India tournaments. But the main pathway is through junior nationals; only through that do you get selected and enter camps. I used to play as a goalkeeper during my childhood. Then I went to the hostel and said, ‘I will play as a goalkeeper,’ but the coach refused. I was very small then and not at that level. At that time, I chose to become a forward.”
From being a goalkeeper to a forward and subsequently becoming one of India’s finest defenders, Rohidas’ career has been eventful. Millions of Indian fans will also be hoping for the dependable defender to win a World Cup medal – an unfulfilled dream for Indian hockey for more than five decades.
The post Amit Rohidas – Of his struggles, starting as a goalkeeper, and India’s below-par showing in the Pro League appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
