Dream of Bengaluru’s Raheel to play for India not far

Mohammed Rumman Khan

Bengaluru: Dream big, practice, eat, pray, sleep, repeat – and things will fall in place. This is the mantra of Bengaluru’s striker Mohammed Raheel, who had a remarkable outing in the inaugural FIH Hockey 5s in Lausanne, Switzerland, which concluded a few days ago.

Speaking to News Trail, the 25-year-old said the dream to play in Indian colours was the reason he took to the sport. When he went on to get the Indian jersey, even though not the main team’s attire, it was the “most emotional achievement of my life”. “It was, of course, a dream come true moment,” he recalled. “I called my dad immediately after holding the jersey and had tears in my eyes as playing for India and making the country proud is my biggest dream,” he said, visibly emotional. “I get up every day with the dream that I will bring glory to my beloved nation by winning in the Olympics,” he added.

Raheel, who was the lynchpin of India’s attack in the country’s thrilling 6-4 win against Poland in the final, emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals and was adjudged Best Player of the Tournament.

The promising international player’s path to wearing the Indian jersey was not a walk in the park. He had to make several sacrifices to get there. “For almost a decade, I have been practicing religiously without a break. While doing this, I have made many sacrifices. The worst is that I couldn’t give much time to my family, which I care a lot about,” Raheel said.

Raheel, who currently leads the Karnataka Hockey team, was awarded Best Forward in the 12th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2022 in April. He hails from a family of former state players with his father Mohammed Naseeruddin and elder brother Md Naeemuddin having played as strikers. “It’s in our blood to make it big in hockey. My father played till the age of 40,” he said. Needless to say, Raheel was overwhelmed when he was picked for the Indian camp in January this year. He has now set himself the target of making it to the Indian team.

“I’m doing everything possible to get into India’s main squad. I fancy my chances in the 33-member group, thanks to my recent performances,” said the striker, with hope ringing in his voice. He believes his dream to play for his motherland will soon be realised. “I’m blessed with goalscoring skills.”

Raheel also believes that to be the best in the world, one has to do that little extra. “That edge over others is the key,” he added. Apart from emphasising the entertaining factor that’s part of the short 5-a-side format, he “loves” the shortest format of the sport. “Only skilled players do well at the high-intensity game,” he aded. Raheel idolises former Indian skipper and top Karnataka player Arjun Halappa and V S Vinaya. “I want to play like them and make my country proud.”