After carrying the team to a Junior Asia Cup victory, Anmol Ekka eyes Junior World Cup gold

Running through the muddy fields as part of the defence lineup, a little boy named Anmol Ekka had once a single dream, to play professional football. But seldom does fate disposes what a man wishes.

So as the script played, the little boy with a football bigger than his head gets discovered by coach Domnik Toppo, who has a knack of scouting the best talent in the cradle of Indian Hockey, Odisha’s Sundargarh, during a visit to his uncle’s place in Kukuda village.

With a father who played professional hockey and worked in the Central Armed Police Forces, there was already much to draw inspiration from his home. However, the transition from football to hockey was easier said than done. Grinding the axe while his father issued him an ultimatum to focus on education, in case he failed to get through the SAI centre at Sundargarh, he strove harder and got through the trials.

Years and many championships later, he successfully led the national side to a gold medal in the Junior Men’s Asia Cup, one of the biggest continental podiums in hockey. We spoke to Anmol while he was in Chandigarh, for a tournament. Here is an excerpt.

Q. How did you start playing hockey?

A. I started as a football player, as it was the most popular sport in our village and everyone played it. Hockey was not very popular there. I ventured into hockey after a trip to my uncle’s house in Kukuda Village (Sundargarh District). There was a coach there named Domnik Toppo who used to teach hockey to youngsters; he has also nurtured many players, helping them transition into the international landscape. My father was a hockey player, which inspired me to move towards the game. Initially, I played hockey alongside football. I joined the SAI Hostel in Sundargarh, where I trained for a year before it was shut down.

Q. Did you start off as a defender or did you play in any other position initially?

A. I started my hockey career as a midfielder but moved on to the defending position later. I played as a defender even as a footballer; hence, the position appealed to me more.

Q. How did you get into the SAI Sports Hostel in Sundargarh?

A. I appeared for the selection trials, but could not get through the first few times. It was around my 9th time going for the trials when my father gave me an ultimatum to focus on education in case I failed this time too. So, I gave it my all and got through. Sarangi sir (Pradeep Kumar Sarangi) was my coach at the institute.

Q. Closing of the sports hostel must have been hard on you. How did you manage to continue your game?

A. I always wanted to play hockey, so I kept practising during the Covid-19 lockdown and joined the HPC after qualifying in the trials in 2023. From there, I went ahead to the national camp in 2024.

Q. You have played and won medals in many tournaments, which one is the closest to your heart?

A. I have played in the Junior Asia Cup in Oman (winning gold) and the Johor Cup in Malaysia (winning silver). I was also part of the bronze-winning squad in the Junior Hockey World Cup. This is when I was also given the opportunity to lead the team to a junior Asia Cup gold medal, where I scored 17 goals. However, despite all of this, the bronze medal at the junior men’s hockey World Cup will remain closer to my heart. The way we defeated Argentina (in the finals) in the last quarter, snatching the victory from their hands, is a memory that will always stay close to my heart. (Anmol won the player of the match for one goal and two assists in the dying minutes of the game)

Q. You are known for your drag and flick skills. Who is your inspiration in hockey?

A. Sandeep Singh is my favourite. It was his biopic (movie titled Soorma; Diljit Dosanjh played the lead) which inspired me to leave the ball and pick up the stick. The way he came back from a near-fatal injury, leaving him paralysed and ruled the turf continues to inspire me even today. He was a force to be reckoned with.

Q. What do you look forward in the upcoming year/years?

A. I want to win gold in the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup next year, which will be my last outing in the tournament.