Ganga Prasad Tiwari vividly remembers how his son Shardanand used to go to his hockey follow each day within the morning with only a cup of tea for breakfast.
“I have never given him a hockey stick or shoes. Forget about the kits, I could not even afford fruits for his diet. Most of the days, he used to go for training with an empty stomach,” he tells The Indian Express of the troubles that got here together with his meagre Rs 1500 month-to-month wage. But he additionally goes forward and talks about his son’s zid (stubbornness) to play for the nation.
Shardanand Tiwari together with his mom. (Special association/Express)
On Wednesday, Shardananad, dressed within the blue of the nationwide crew on the Junior Hockey World Cup, stepped as much as take a penalty nook on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The profitable drag-flick within the twenty first minute proved to be the one purpose within the match – sufficient for India to beat European giants Belgium for a spot within the semi-final.
The 17-year-old has now scored 4 targets within the match thus far – two in opposition to Canada and one in opposition to Poland within the group stage, earlier than the winner in opposition to the reigning Olympic champions.
But Ganga Prasad, who has seen his younger son play the game from his early days missed {the teenager}’s best second (thus far) on the hockey discipline. He was at work, as the driving force of Lucknow district Justice of the Peace Abhishek Prakash.
“Ye wala match miss ho gaya, duty pe they, magar DM sahab ne aaj office bula ke abhinandan kiya hai (I missed the match against Belgium because I was on duty, but DM sir felicitated me today),” says Tiwari, whose household lives in a tiny two-room flat behind the DM’s official residence.
But it wasn’t too removed from dwelling the place Shardanand’s tryst with hockey started.
“In 2012, we moved here. KD Singh Babu Stadium is near our house and this is where he first saw players playing hockey,” recollects Ganga Prasad. “One evening, when I returned home from duty, he told me that he wanted to play hockey. I didn’t even take it seriously. I casually said we will see.”
Shardanand Tiwari in motion. (Hockey India)
But the teen, the third amongst 4 siblings, was able to slog it out. Even if it meant taking over a job.
Earning his maintain
At the age of 10, he began working in a grocery retailer for Rs 300 in order that he can lower your expenses to purchase gear and equipment for hockey. For three months, no person within the Tiwari family had a clue that Shardanand is working and is skipping college.
“When I found out, I got very upset. I even scolded him. But the next day I realised why he did that, and I told him that he won’t have to worry about the money from now onwards,” says Ganga Prasad.
“Us din se maine double shift kaam karna start kar diya (I have started working in the double shift from that day).”
Shardanand was first noticed by coach Neelam Siddique, who was then working with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Lucknow.
“Once he got enrolled in the SAI, we thought now he will be able to pursue his dream. But my income was still not good enough to get him a hockey stick and shoes,” recollects Ganga Prasad.
“The coaches gave him a few old sticks and shoes. Everyday before going to bed, he will bind his hockey stick with ropes since it used to break.”
The first pair of hockey footwear he received was a present from his childhood coach Arun Yadav when he broke into the World Cup squad.
“This is my son’s story. He has played hockey all his life with borrowed sticks and shoes. But he never gave up, and never complained either,” he provides.
Shardanand Tiwari together with his household. (Express Photo)
Rani Tiwari, his mom says “Sapna jaisa lag raha hai, sab uski mehnat ka fal hai (It is a dream for us, It is all his hard work).”
Shardanand’s journey started on an empty abdomen. Now when he returns, his mom is making ready a feast.
“Aloo ki sabzi is his favourite so I will cook it for him once he will be back home. But there are still two matches to go, and I know we are going to win the World Cup,” she provides.