Rajkumar Pal: Playing against Belgium was biggest moment of my life

The 21-year-old burst onto the domestic scene in an U-14 tournament in Lucknow in 2010.

When Uttar Pradesh lad Rajkumar Pal made his India debut against World Champions Belgium during the FIH Hockey Pro League in February, the confidence he exuded and intensity with which he played was on-par with his experienced teammates. At no point in the 60 minute game did he look like a new comer in the team. 

Chief Coach Graham Reid had entrusted Rajkumar Pal with the task of standing up to the Belgian defence, and the attacking midfielder did not let this opportunity go amiss as he impressed with a number of moves surging forward coupled with fiesty tackle, creating opportunities to score.

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"My focus was on executing the role that Coach had entrusted me with. Playing against the World Champions in my first international match was the biggest moment of my life and I wanted to ensure I lived up to the expectations," stated the confident 21-year-old who is currently part of the on-going National Coaching Camp for Senior Men's Hockey Team in SAI, Bengaluru. 

Rajkumar Pal, born in Karampur village in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, burst onto the domestic scene during an U-14 tournament in Lucknow in 2010. A prodigy of Coach Tej Bahadur Singh in Meghbaran Stadium where he began playing hockey alongside his two elder brothers at the age of 10, Rajkumar Pal was part of the SAI Sports Hostel, Lucknow when he was spotted by Hockey India High Performance Director David John during the Hockey India Senior Men National Championships in 2018.

"I was called up for the National Camp for the first time in 2018 but it took me a while to get used to the training techniques and game-sense. I used to feel a lot of pressure initially because the hockey we played back home was very different from what the Senior team played. But I was constantly encouraged by Lalit bhai (Upadhyay, India forward also from Uttar Pradesh) who made me understand that it was important to stick to 'simple hockey' and not feel pressurised," recalled Rajkumar Pal who is the first from Karampur village to don the India jersey. 

After he impressed again during the previous edition of the Hockey India Senior Men National Championships in 2019, Raj Kumar was called-up for National Camp in Bhubaneswar last year.

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"Since then I have constantly been with the team and Chief Coach Reid is very patient and explains to me what exactly I need to focus on and how I need to cope with the demands of hockey at this level. Though I did have awareness about the fitness required at this level, understanding small things like not to hold the ball too long and general tactical awareness is something I had to work on.

Seniors in the team are also very encouraging and don't make me feel like a new comer in the team which has helped me tremendously mentally as well. Lalit also kept encouraging me to speak with other midfielders and forwards in the team so my on-field communication improved," explained the youngster.  

While his aim now is to stay focused and work towards earning a spot in the India Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Raj Kumar feels the absence of his father who passed away in 2011 following which he had taken a break from hockey.

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"I had joined the SAI Sports Hostel in 2010 itself but after my father passed away (in 2011), I was forced to stay with my mother who was alone as my brothers also were away from home at that time. The emotional turmoil after losing my father and difficulties at home had almost made me give up hockey but as fate would have it, I rejoined the SAI Sports Hostel in 2012 after my mother pursuaded me," stated an emotional Rajkumar Pal. 

"I really wish my father could see me play for India because he was my biggest support to take up the sport. But his encouraging words continue to give me strength. My only aim now is to give my 100 per cent for the team, stay focused in every day training and try to make the squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," he added.