“You only live once, but if you play hockey, once is enough,” reads the bio section on Yuvraj Walmiki’s social media handles. This quote perfectly encapsulates the passion and dedication of this former Indian hockey international, who continues to inspire despite a decade since his last appearance in the blue jersey.
Rising from humble beginnings in the bustling financial capital of India, Yuvraj’s journey to the national stage is a testament to sheer determination and love for the sport. His early days were far from glamorous. Motivated by a desire to see his name in the newspaper, after witnessing a friend’s name in the Mumbai’s Free Press Journal, he sought guidance from Merzban ‘Bawa’ Patel, a now Dronacharya award-winning coach who offered to train him for free. What started as a fun activity to escape classes quickly transformed into an all-consuming passion.
Two decades later, hockey remains an integral part of Yuvraj’s life and the life of his younger brother Devinder, who followed in his footsteps to become a full international himself. “Initially it was just for fun, to bunk classes. Slowly, gradually, hockey became a passion. Today, I can probably say for my brother and me, hockey is bread and butter. Whatever little name and fame we have achieved is through hockey,” Walmiki said in an exclusive conversation with Sportstar.
Despite facing skepticism from their community who encouraged more traditional career paths, Yuvraj’s parents provided unwavering support. “Usually in Mumbai, people’s parents say dasvi tak padhai karo, peon ki naukri karo aur family sambhalo (Study till tenth grade, take up a peon’s job and take care of the family). They [his parents] just told me, ‘If you want to continue, continue’. That was the green signal,” he added.
The Walmiki brothers etched their names in Indian hockey history, playing together for the country for the first time against France in the 2015 FIH World League Semifinals in Antwerp. Devinder even scored a goal on his debut.
Yuvraj credits his entire career to his hero, Dhanraj Pillay, a legend in the world of Indian hockey. Recalling his early days, Yuvraj shared, “I had a dream to be coached by him but god was kind enough to allow me to play alongside him, even though he was not at his peak,” he said with a wide smile.
Their shared passion for the game developed into a strong mentor-mentee relationship. “In school, they used to say, hockey mein ek hi jaadugar hai [hockey has only one magician], Dhanraj Pillay, ” he reminisced. “The year 2003 was the first time he gave me a hockey stick and I have known him personally since then. Personally and professionally he has always been a supporter, from my family to my hockey life, everything,” he added.
Despite amassing over 50 caps for the nation, Yuvraj harbors one regret: missing out on the Olympics. Injuries prevented him from participating in London 2012 and Rio 2016. He reflects on those missed opportunities with a mix of disappointment and acceptance. “As a sports person, I have also made many mistakes considering that there is something called rehab and taking care of yourself,” he said. “I just want to tell all the youngsters that everyone in the world gets success, but success with the right guidance very few get. I was lacking that guidance.”
While the Olympics remain an elusive dream, Yuvraj has found solace in the fact that his brother Devinder participated in the Rio 2016 Games.
Since his departure from the national team, Yuvraj has continued to excel in the domestic circuit. He has been the top scorer in the nationals on six occasions, proving his enduring talent and skills. However, he is no longer focused on making a return to the national squad. Instead, he has embraced various roles within the sport, including coach, selector and even a broadcast commentator.
Yuvraj and his brother Devinder are the last players from Maharashtra to represent India in a World Cup or Olympic campaign. Attributing the decline in national team representatives to the dwindling quality of school tournaments, Yuvraj expresses concern for the future of hockey in the state.
“When we were playing, we had these higher-competition school tournaments. There used to be a Mumbai School Sports Association tournament, but the standards have dropped with only three or four good teams now.” he said.
Recognizing the need for a systemic change, he emphasizes the importance of nurturing grassroots talent. “The grassroots have to be taken care of. Nowadays, rather than convincing the student, it is more important to convince the parent. There needs to be a change in mentality,” he opined.
Determined to revive Mumbai’s hockey legacy, Yuvraj has joined forces with his brother Devinder and commentator Siddharth Pandey to establish the Champions Training Center (CTC) in Mumbai, an academy dedicated to developing young talent from underprivileged backgrounds. India international goalkeeper Suraj Karkera is also part of the setup.
Within three years of its inception, CTC has already made a significant impact. The academy, with support from the Mumbai Hockey Association, has successfully sent three players to the junior national camp, including Yuvraj’s RSPB teammate Darshan Gawkar.
Yuvraj hopes to not only restore Mumbai’s hockey legacy but also contribute to the national team’s future success. “I have a dream that deep down the line, in 2032 or 2036, we will have at least two players in the national team,” he predicts.
Another aspiration that continues to fuel his passion is the chance to play in the revamped Hockey India League. Yuvraj enjoyed great success playing for the Delhi Waveriders, winning three medals during the first installation of the event. He remains committed to maintaining his fitness, confident that he still has the skills and determination to compete at a high level.
“I’m doing my part, running from this ‘D’ to that ‘D’. I am keeping myself very fit. I have maintained that discipline for the last eight months,” Yuvraj said. “Even now, the goals are still coming. The only thing I have to do a lot more of is my fitness, That’s my only aim,” he added.
One of Yuvraj’s Instagram posts aptly captures his unwavering spirit: “Apni kahaani hai, ending change kar lenge ” (It’s my story, I’ll change the ending). This Mumbaikar continues to rewrite his story, proving that the game of hockey, and the love for it, can truly change lives.
