ROURKELA: Young forward Abhishek is poised to make an impact at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, which begins on January 13.
Playing for India at a home World Cup is a dream come true for the 23-year-old, who made his FIH Hockey Pro League debut in the previous season. "There is a lot of enthusiasm, but I also feel a little anxious. My first World Cup will also be my first time performing in front of a sizable crowd. It will be an incredible opportunity for me to play in front of the fervent hockey fans in Odisha, " he said
When Abhishek was 11 years old, he first witnessed his buddies playing hockey in his school in Sonepat, Haryana. Army veteran and former teacher Shamsher Singh helped the kid of an Army soldier polish his abilities.
After being chosen to attend the National Hockey Academy in Delhi straight out of high school, he continued, "After playing for Haryana in the national championships between 2013 and 2015, I earned my call-up for the Junior Camp."
The Indian team that triumphed in the 2016 U-18 Asian Cup in Bangladesh included Abhishek. In the team's 5-4 victory over the hosts in the Final, he scored the game-winning goal. The forward, however, was removed from the junior national camp because he was unable to advance farther. "Due to my young age and expulsion from the junior national camp, I was unable to make the 2016 Junior World Cup squad. I was quite disappointed, "He said.
After helping Punjab National Bank place third at the first Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship in 2021, Abhishek's dedication paid off and he was called up for the Senior National Camp almost three years later. He has six goals, which made him the second-highest scorer in the competition.
"My coach and the department were there for me the entire time, even though those three years were difficult for me. They aided in my recovery from that trying time. And following a successful domestic season in 2021, I felt confident in my ability to be chosen for the core issues "said Abhishek.
The athlete from Haryana was a crucial member of the Indian team that won the silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and finished third in the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2021–2022.
Four days remain till the World Cup, he said, "My family is now hoping for a medal in the World Cup following the Commonwealth Games. The entire nation is wishing for that. I firmly think that we are up to the task and that we will do everything in our power to honour our nation."
The athlete from Haryana was a crucial member of the Indian team that won the silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and finished third in the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2021–2022.
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