Return of the prodigal: Hardik’s homecoming at the birthplace of his dreams

When Hardik Singh stepped on to the turf at the Olympian Balbir Singh International Hockey Stadium for India’s semifinal against Korea in the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy on Wednesday night, it was the proverbial return of the prodigal son. The vice-captain of the Indian men’s hockey team was realising a dream he had first manifested 13 years ago.

At 28, Hardik is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in world hockey, both in terms of skills and his game intelligence that, more often than not, others in the team struggle to keep up with. Back in 2013, he was a wiry ball kid running around the sidelines, retrieving and watching the biggest names in the sport from close quarters during the Hockey India League.

“I was one of the ball boys during the HIL in 2013-14 and when I went back to the hostel, I used to record voice notes for myself that one day, I will be back there as an international payer. I think it’s just the power of manifestation and belief,” an emotional Hardik said after the game.

The return of international hockey to Punjab has been special to a lot of players but more so for two in the Indian side – Hardik and Sukhjeet Singh – who have had the opportunity to train at both the venues hosting the ACT – Mohali and Jalandhar. Hardik, in particular, has been the posterboy of all that Indian hockey has traditional stood for – artistry, control and exceptional skills, rather than raw power.

“It’s taken me 13 years to return home wearing the national jersey and it’s a feeling that I cannot explain. I know I am an important part of the Indian team now and to be back where I first started in this game, I don’t have words. The credit goes to my then coach Mohan sir here and the love and belief of my mates and I am not representing only myself but the whole academy, everyone who has at some time struggled for facilities and infrastructure,” he added.

A few of his friends from his academy days here were in the stands and it was clear they adored him, as much with pride as love. Hardik began his hockey journey with the Mohali academy in 2011 and was here for four years before catching the national eye. In 2016, he made the Junior India team and was among the stand-bys for the Junior World Cup. That was also the time he shifted to the Surjeet Hockey Academy in Jalandhar.

“When I first came here, I saw many senior athletes for the first time training from close quarters. Players like Manpreet Singh would be there in-between national camps and we used to get excited, seeing them and getting a chance to train and play with them. This is where I first learnt what international hockey was all about,” Hardik had said during the team’s league competition in Jalandhar.

But that was the final polish of a raw talent whose sporting dreams had first appeared in Chandigarh, across multiple venues for lack of a permanent home. Not surprisingly, the homecoming here is a lot more special and emotional.

“This stadium wasn’t even built then. We used to train wherever we could manage — basketball courts, different grounds. We used to borrow playing time at the Punjab University grounds, the Sector 42 stadium, the girls academy in Sector 18. It was only in my last year here that I began coming to the stadium for training and spent one year. The struggle was so much more during those days because the excitement of getting on the turf was at a different level. We had limited time and that made it all the more precious,” he admitted.

The journey since then has been anything but smooth. Despite his impressive outings at the junior level, he was out of contention for a couple of years between 2017-18, a time he admits was frustrating enough to push him towards other options. Thankfully, better sense prevailed. That, and some sound advice from family including his uncle and former star Jugraj Singh.

“The long journey has had a lot of ups and downs since I started. There are the two Olympic medals, even though the second bronze should have been a gold, the Asian Games triumphs but also the disappointments of the World Cups. It’s mixed emotions on the field but then there is also the person I have grown up to be.

“I have developed as a human being and honestly, I never thought I would be this person or hockey player that I am today. I can see all the hostel boys up there and I imagine I was in the same situation 12-13 years back. I can exactly understand what they are feeling and their emotions, which is why I try to interact as much as possible with the younger hockey boys now because I know they will be inspired,” he mused.

On Thursday, as he played his 200th international match, it was a hat tip from the double Olympic medallist to the fantastical dreams of an 11-year-old that came true and all the kids who manifest success.