"Stop playing hockey, you're always getting injured!" Abhishek Nain's mother said, fear clouding her voice. But the boy didn’t flinch. The sting of a grass burn or a scratch felt like a small price to pay for the freedom he yearned for. That day, he looked at her and said, "I want to do something different." (More Hockey News)
What started as running from the classroom eventually turned into running on a hockey field, but playing for the Indian hockey team? “That felt like a dream too distant to even consider,” he told 바카라 India.
Nain wasn’t chasing fame or medals; he was just a kid who couldn’t bear sitting in class. "I was good at studies," he said, "but all I wanted was to escape the classroom and travel. Hockey became my way out."
However, his family was frustrated with the constant injuries, and Nain was made to quit hockey. It was on that school ground, a patchwork of mud and grass in Sonipat, where he met Coach Shamsher Singh Dahiya. The coach not only sparked bigger dreams in him but also helped convince Nain's mother, Surat Devi, to let go of her worries and support his passion.
Interestingly, Coach Dahiya wasn’t a hockey expert; he was a Hindi teacher who believed sports could help discipline mischievous and stubborn kids. But in eight-year-old Nain, he saw something more, a spark that the world later celebrated when Nain stood on the podium with the Indian hockey team at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Reflecting on his early days, Nain recalled, “It was so much fun. Just a grass ground, nothing fancy. The turf was at SAI, but that was far. My coach, Dahiya Sir, was actually a Hindi teacher. He wasn’t a hockey expert, but he put in so much effort. Whenever he wasn’t sure about something, he’d turn to the seniors who had more experience, and then pass that knowledge on to us.”
“He didn’t have all the technical know-how, but what he had was consistency. He showed up twice a day for practice, no matter what. And that라이브 바카라 what he taught us, the real art of learning. It wasn’t just about playing the game, but about showing up, working hard, and learning every day.”
Reflecting on the infrastructure, Nain said, “When I look back now, I realize that we really need to improve the infrastructure. It라이브 바카라 crucial for bringing out more talent and making the transition to professional hockey smoother.”
From Grass Ground To Turf: Abhishek Nain's Transition To Professional Hockey
Nain라이브 바카라 journey in hockey went through many transitions, the first being from the grass field to the turf. Unlike many others, he initially found the turf easier but tiring.
He said, “At first, I thought it was easy. The passes were smoother, and it was easier to stop the ball. But soon, I realized I was getting tired much quicker. It took a lot more energy and stamina than I expected. That was my main struggle, but over time, I worked on it and got used to it.”
Abhishek Nain라이브 바카라 First Day At The Senior Hockey Camp
Then came the transition from the junior to the senior squad, and that's when the challenges hit him. For a year, Nain was just trying to adjust to the faster pace.
He was scared and uncomfortable, always worried about keeping his spot in the team. He referred to 2022 as his struggle period, saying, “I was so scared. I had never felt that way before. The seniors were too fast, and even though they were supportive, I felt like I was falling behind. That year, 2022, was tough for me. I was struggling, and at times, I felt left out because I wasn’t able to match their level. But with their support, I kept pushing through.”
But there were also moments of joy. Nain looks back fondly on his first day with the senior squad: “I was nervous, unsure of how to approach them. I had watched them on TV for years, and now here I was, face to face with them. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but soon we were all joking around, and it felt like home.”
However, there was one thing Nain wished for: the chance to play alongside his idol, Sardar Singh, who retired on September 12, 2018. “Sardara Paji, it was my dream to play with him, but he retired before I made it to the senior team. He was my idol, someone I looked up to, and I always hoped to play alongside him one day. But yeah, some dreams just remain unfulfilled.”
Abhishek Nain Reveals The Indian Hockey Team Locker Room Vibe
Nain also shared the contrast between the team라이브 바카라 on-field intensity and the relaxed atmosphere in the players' lounge. "It라이브 바카라 so funny and lively there. On the field, we’re all serious, trying to stay calm and focused, but off the field, it라이브 바카라 a family. We motivate each other, we back each other up."
When it comes to humor, Nain couldn’t pick just one person. "The funniest people for me are Sukhjeet Singh and Manpreet Singh. Sukhjeet, especially, is my best friend in the squad. He라이브 바카라 been with me from the start. We work at the same place, even before we came to the camp. He라이브 바카라 my roommate, and we’ve got this bond. We came to the senior team together."
Abhishek Nain On Navigating Career Insecurity As An Athlete
Nain라이브 바카라 journey through transitions has been a mix of highs and lows. Back in 2018, he found himself caught in an awkward position: too old for the Junior World Cup but too young for the senior team.
"It was a strange time," he reflects. "I was training every day, traveling from Sonipat to Delhi, but it felt like I was going nowhere. In sports, when you're not playing, doubts creep in. You start questioning your worth, wondering what라이브 바카라 next. And just when things seemed uncertain, the COVID lockdown hit. It was a tough period for everyone, but I made a commitment to keep training every day and stay mentally strong."
The hard work paid off. At just 25, Nain has already achieved remarkable success, including a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a gold at the 2022 Asian Games, and golds at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy.
What라이브 바카라 Next For Abhishek Nain
He is currently part of the 54-member squad at the national camp in Bengaluru.
Looking ahead, Nain says, “There라이브 바카라 so much more I want to achieve, both personally and with the team. Winning the Hockey World Cup, something we haven’t done since 1975, is a big dream. I truly believe we can bring back that golden era of Indian hockey. Olympic gold has always been the ultimate goal. We’re putting in the work under coach Craig Fulton, and I believe the effort we’re making now will get us there.”
After all his achievements, Nain라이브 바카라 family couldn’t be prouder, and the support from those around him remains constant. He still returns to the same ground where it all began, offering guidance to the kids who look up to him. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is his mother라이브 바카라 concern: “Ma still worries every time I get injured, but the joy she feels when I win is far greater,” Nain chuckles, wrapping up the interview with a smile.
