The second the emcee introduced Amit Rohidas’ title, the group went berserk. The loud roar turned ear-splitting when the 29-year-old hammered in India’s first purpose of the World Cup within the opener in opposition to Spain on Friday night.
It was a particular second for Rohidas. Not solely did that strike assist the hosts win 2-0, it got here in a city that has fairly actually bred him. The hockey participant was solely 11 when he left his household in Saunamara village of Sundergarh district to calm down on the State Sports Hostel in Panposh — part of Rourkela — to be taught the tips of the commerce. The hostel is simply 2km from the brand new 20,000-seater Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium – one of many two venues of the World Cup together with Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
“It is a feeling I cannot describe. This is my second World Cup at home. I already played in Bhubaneswar 2018. I am feeling very proud. I have spent my childhood right here, my hostel was right there,” stated Rohidas, vice-captain of the Indian workforce
“I really feel very completely happy and proud to play in entrance of the hostel the place I grew up, the place I learnt every part. Playing in entrance of my very own individuals, in my very own district is a particular feeling.”
Sundergarh district has produced several India internationals with Saunamara village itself churning out the likes of former India skipper Dilip Tirkey, Subhadra Pradhan, Bikash Toppo, Dipsan Tirkey and Rohidas himself.
“My father used to play when he was young. My elder brother too played in local tournaments but he did not get selected for the sports hostel. I followed in their footsteps. Now, my brother’s one-year-old son has already started holding a small hockey stick I gifted him,” said Rohidas, who made his India debut in 2013.
During his childhood, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist lived in a mud house which had no electricity or water supply. Though passionate about the sport, his family could not afford a stick which led him to make a stick out of bamboo and play with his friends.
“Money was a big issue back then. My farmer parents had to struggle a lot to make me play. We worked on someone else’s land. My father even went to Goa and Gujarat to work in order to support my career. I got my first proper stick only when I joined the hostel in 2004,” said Rohidas, remembering his father Gopal who passed away two years back.
“With God’s grace, everything is fine in my family now. There is no financial problem. Hockey has given me everything. We broke the mud house and built a good one on that spot itself,” he said.
Not just his family and relatives, even his neighbours came to see the son of the soil play on Friday night and will do so again as India face England in the second Pool D match on Sunday.
First rusher
It was in Panposh that Rohidas started to brush his skills to finally enter the junior national setup in 2011 before making his senior India debut at the 2013 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Along with developing his stickwork, Rohidas got involved in a role that has made him not just the best in India but perhaps the world. Ever since he made his debut, Rohidas has acted as a first rusher or runner, with his legs getting hammered day-in, day-out.
Rushers, as the name suggests, run towards the drag-flicker during penalty corners (PC) to try and block the ball. The faster and the more aggressive the rusher, the lesser is the angle for the PC specialist to exploit. The last decade has put the responsibility of defending in PCs on the rushers more than goalkeepers.
“Rushing is one of the main reasons why Rohidas is in the team. He is one of the best in the world for sure,” says former India analytical coach and Australian drag-flick legend Chris Ciriello.
Rushing is to Rohidas what fielding was to Jonty Rhodes, something the South African cricketer has admitted many times.
“Only those that have dum (braveness) can do that job. It is God’s present to me. I’ve been doing it for therefore a few years that now I’ve the boldness to do it on a regular basis. Earlier it was simply bravado however later I learnt the strategies too. Like tips on how to tempo my run, the route, if I come out quick tips on how to counter the flick, if I am going sluggish then what to do. I’ve the information so not scared anymore,” said Rohidas, who is employed with the Railways.
It is normal for first rushers to take body blows. The legs of a regular rusher would be full of scars. But it doesn’t scare Rohidas.
“I’m nonetheless enhancing in terms of the technicalities. When I began it was barely completely different and I used to be somewhat scared. But expertise has taught me that approach is every part. If you recognize the strategies, there is no such thing as a should be scared. Plus, the gear has improved lots so there may be full security,” stated Rohidas.
“Of course, I have been hit and wounded many times. But you have to understand that the first rusher is also a goalkeeper from one perspective. The wounds do pain but I have resilience. If I’m playing for my country, there’s nothing to be scared of. I just give it everything.”
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