n Ranchi Royals colours, Belgian superstar Tom Boon emerged as the top-scorer of the Hockey India League (HIL). Even in the final phase of his illustrious career, the World and Olympic champion is leading by example.
Donning multiple roles as a forward, drag-flicker and mentor, Boon, who celebrated his 36th birthday on January 25, has set a great example for up-and-coming players across the globe. Boon, an inspirational figure in the hockey world, spoke to The Hindu about his magnificent career and future goals. Excerpts:
How do you see your emergence as the top-scorer of HIL and did you expect to lead the chart?
No (I did not expect it), I’m really happy about it. It’s part of my job; I’m a striker, I’m taking the penalty corners, the penalty strokes. Somehow it’s normal that I stand there. I’m happy that the team has grown as well, that we have taken some great steps forward. When we look back at where we came from, from the first match and the visage we have now, it’s an improved team. I’m just proud and happy to be part of it.
Given the short time period for preparation before HIL, how challenging was it to gel with players of different nationalities and adapt to styles of play?
It was challenging. Everyone has their own way of playing and we had to try to make something work. I was working hand-in-hand with Harendra Singh to make something work, to try to help with my experience there. What we saw from Ranchi was that we grew and this was the most important thing. I’m happy about it, we started on a not-so-good note but we kept believing. We worked hard to make it work and the most important of all is we were a really solid group. Manpreet Singh did a really nice job to try and connect the Indians with foreigners. The Indians looked really, really happy to be together, they’re good friends with the foreigners as well. The whole mix is important. Everyone is equal, everyone wants the best for the team.
Tom Boon.
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Young Indian players benefitting from HIL is well known but do you see any gains for overseas players, other than the money?
It’s challenging to get out of your comfort zone. I’m going to give an easy example about me. I had never been a captain before, I was a captain this season. I got out of my comfort zone. I tried to do it as well as I could and everyone seemed to be happy, so it was a great experience. I will take the learnings from it, try to dare to speak more in a changing room when I’m back with Belgium.
Are you looking forward to the FIH Pro League in Rourkela and will the HIL exposure help everyone who participate there?
Yeah, I hope so. I hope the crowd will be there in Rourkela, it’s been really nice playing in that stadium. It’s one of the most beautiful stadiums that I have played in, so yeah I am happy to play India again, it has been a while.
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar holds a special place for you as you won the World Cup here eight years ago. How do you feel returning to the venue?
It was amazing being here. It was the first title for Belgium, it was the first time Belgium won anything in any sport and it was here. Of course, I do remember a lot being here, it has been eight years already, time flies. But I was really happy to be back in this stadium, it’s going to always have a special place in my heart.
How do you keep yourself competitive despite growing challenges from younger players? Is there anything extra you do for fitness and recovery these days?
I have to, I’m 36 now. I have to take care of my body as much as I can. I try to go to the gym almost every day for recovery sessions, to keep my body in shape. I’m really happy that I can still perform at my age and the hunger I still have is something I cherish because I also know it’s going to be finished soon. So I try to enjoy every moment as much as I can.
Do you do anything specific to stay in good shape?
Yeah, every morning when I wake up, I go to the gym and do some exercises for core stabilisation, when I feel I have some pain in my calf or hammy (hamstring). I’m happy with the work I’ve done so far.
You’re part of the golden generation of Belgian players and you are seeing a transition now. How do you mentor and compete with younger guys who may have a different mindset?
It’s nice, my position has changed a little bit. I try to share my experience as much as I can. I’m never going to say that I’m right or wrong, I’m just trying to give my opinion; it’s something I didn’t do much in my early days. I’m trying to give some tips to certain players at certain moments. Afterwards, they do whatever they want with it. If they think it’s a good tip, I’m happy. If they think they should do something else, I’m happy as well. I’m happy to give back a little bit of what I received.
What kind of target do you have for the upcoming home World Cup and Los Angeles Olympics?
I think we can dream big, that’s why I love sports. Everything is possible, it would be so nice to lift the cup in front of our own crowds. Of course, it’s going to be a really, really difficult journey.
There are four, five or six teams who can win it, so it’s going to be difficult, but we’re going to train hard, play hard and do whatever we can to try to be as good as we can.
It’s (LA28) a little bit more personal (call for me), it’s going to be my last tournament, that’s for sure. Maybe I’m going to stop before that. At the moment, I just keep dreaming of playing other tournaments, we will see after the World Cup how it goes (for me) and see if I still have the faith to go forward till LA28.
You’re a third-generation hockey player. Would you like your children to carry forward the family tradition?
Yeah. My little boy is already playing. He’s four, he started playing in September. I think he loves it. At the moment, he dreams to be a goalie, so we’ll see what he’s going to become. But I’m the kind of father who is pretty relaxed. He’s going to choose whatever he wants to do.
I’m going to try to be there for him if he needs me, but he’s going to choose what he’s going to do.
Published – January 28, 2026 12:01 am IST
