‘HIL big chance for me’

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Amit Rohidas

It’s a dream come true for the young Ranchi boy Amit Rohidas, who not only fetched a princely amount of `16 lakh in the recently conducted auction for the Hockey India League, but will now rub shoulders with leading international players during the ten days of the league.

“It’s the best thing that has happened in my life till now. Seeing some interest (of franchisees) in me during the auction and getting a huge opportunity to play with top international players is really very special to me,” said the 19-year-old defender. Rohidas has already made his mark at the international level in juniors and is now knocking at the doors of the senior team.
Rohidas was bought by Ranchi Rhinos five times of his base price of $5,600 and this has opened an opportunity for him to play alongside well known name as Moritz Fuertse (Germany), Ashley Jackson (England), Austin Smith (South Africa), Floris Evers (the Netherlands) and Francisco Cortes (Spain). India seniors Manpreet Singh, Birender Lakra and Kothajit Singh will accompany Rohidas as part of the Rhinos in the inaugural league which will get underway from 14 January.
“Playing with these top players will improve my game and technique. Hockey India League is the best thing to have happened to Indian hockey and players. It is a huge opportunity for us,” Rohidas says.
Rohidas is also very encouraged by the presence of South African coach Gregg Clarke in the team and says, “I will learn some new skills from Clarke sir and am very hopeful that my game will improve under him.”
Rohidas’ tryst with the sport began when he started playing hockey in his village Saunamura. The sport is very popular in the village having earlier produced international star Dilip Tirkey.
In 2004, when Rohidas joined Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela, it proved a huge learning curve as he finetuned his skills. He represented the hostel in many district and state-level tournaments, and still plays for the team.
Rohidas was named in the India juniors team in 2009 and represented the country in the U-18 Junior Asia Cup hockey, held in Myanmar the same year. He was also part of the Indian team, which finished third in the 2012 U-21 Junior Asia Cup hockey in Malaysia.
He represented India at the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011 and 2012, finishing runners-up last year. He got his maiden break at the senior level at the men’s national hockey championship in 2011 (Bhopal) and 2012 (Bengaluru). Rohidas’ favourite player, no wonder, is Tirkey and he wants to emulate the success the latter has achieved in his career.
“I play at the same position and tackle like him. Like other boys in my village, I idolise him and I want to become a masterful player like Dilip Tirkey,” he says.