The Walmiki Brothers are trying to revive hockey in their city
Yuvraj Walmiki (31) and his younger brother Devinder (29) were among the millions of Indians who celebrated the country’s return to the Olympic podium in Tokyo in early August.
And the two India players – both hate to be referred to as former internationals – have followed closely the reception that the members of the bronze-medal winning men’s team have been getting over the past three weeks.
While they are thrilled at hockey’s moment in the sun, they are also acutely aware of the fact that there was no player from Mumbai, an erstwhile hockey powerhouse, in the squad that travelled to the Japanese capital. And, this is a blemish they want to rectify soon — if not by returning to the national squad themselves – then by guiding a crop of youngsters who can go on and play for India one day.
“Like everyone else, we have been celebrating India’s feat in Tokyo. I have also seen the felicitation functions that players are attending these days in various states like Punjab, Haryana, UP etc. It brings back memories of ceremonies I have attended in the past,” Yuvraj told TOI.“
At the same time I feel sad that there was no player from Mumbai in the team. That is something we need to correct in the immediate future,” he added. While there’s been a sharp decline in the number of players emerging from the city in recent years, both Yuvraj and Devinder are keen to help Mumbai regain lost glory. It is towards this objective that they have been helping hone the skills of about 25 youngsters at the MHA stadium opposite Churchgate station.
What better way to mark the birth of one of India’s greatest hockey players and wizards, Major Dhyan Chand, whose birthday it is today and celebrated all over India as National Sports Day.
“There’s no point sitting and complaining about the falling graph of hockey in Mumbai. We have a glorious past and all that it requires is that some of the experienced players, who have got so much from the game, step up and take initiatives to revive the sport,” said Devinder, who regularly features in the Dutch League, and was part if the Indian side at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
On their part, the duo has tried to galvanise whatever resources they can manage. “We get support from some people and also contribute modest sums from our own pocket to ensure that the training schedule is not disrupted. The BHA president Mangha Singh Bakshi has been of great help to us and allows us to use the facility,” said Yuvraj.
The brothers organised screenings of the Olympic quarterfinals, semis and third-place match at the BHA premises and that was well received by everyone who attended it. “We need to take every step that will promote the sport. You should have been at BHA to see what the wins meant for all of us who watched those games,” said Devinder.
But how difficult is it to train players and also continue playing and keep aiming to win places back in the national camps? Is it not tough? “They are two different objectives. The club I play for in Holland (HGC in Wassennar) has also helped me get trained as a coach and I have coached their U-14 side. There are fine points that only coaches can see but which players overook.
“So I have that kind of experience and that’s what I want to continue imparting to our players at BHA,” insists Devinder, who along with Yuvraj, is a pupil of Marzban Patel, the coach who has given his life to hockey in the city and produced numerous players who have gone on to play for the country.
