Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 26 (ANI): For S Karthi, the 21-year-old lad from Tamil Nadu’s Kovilpatti, a chance within the not too long ago concluded Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai meant the world, as his dad and mom obtained the prospect to look at him play dwell within the stadium for the primary time.
Not solely did Karthi make this a particular outing for his dad and mom, who attended each single match, however the Team Indian made it doubly particular for his household by profitable the document 4th title by defeating Malaysia within the closing 4-3. It needs to be famous that India didn’t lose a single sport all through the event, defeating Japan within the Semi-Finals 5-0. During the Pool stage, India defeated conventional rivals Pakistan (4-0), defending Champions Korea (3-2), Malaysia (5-0), China (7-2) and held Japan to a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to Hockey India Karthi recounted his ideas after his first objective and mentioned,”One memory that I will always cherish is scoring my first goal of the Tournament against Malaysia, this was the very first goal that I scored in front of my family who were watching me play for the first time. As I scored, I turned around to look at my parents and the smiles they had on their faces made it all worthwhile. At that moment, all the years of hard work that I put on the turf, all the sacrifices my family made to ensure I followed my dream, all the financial struggles we faced, it all came good and I hold this moment close to my heart.” “I was ecstatic when it was announced that the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 would be held at my home ground, Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai,” Karthi mentioned.
“To have this opportunity to go back to the stadium where it all started for me and put on a show for the fans had me sleepless at night,” he added.
Karthi final performed at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium as a schoolboy in 2016. Karthi described the second he stepped onto the pitch in entrance of so many individuals as “special,” as if he was carrying the hope of all of the followers within the stadium.
“It felt incredible to walk onto the pitch each time, with hockey-hungry fans cheering for us. I am really grateful that people from all around the state came to watch us play and supported me and the team throughout.” Karthi’s first objective got here when India performed Malaysia within the Pool stage and gained by a cushty 5-0 margin. The Fifteenth-minute strike from Karthi initiated a thunderous roar from the Chennai locals current within the stands.
Karthi made his debut for the Indian males’s hockey workforce on the Asia Cup 2022 which was held in Jakarta and has, since then been on the fringes of the workforce. With this spectacular efficiency beneath his belt, Karthi now has his eyes set on cementing his place within the Senior Men’s Team.
“The title win at the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 has given me immense confidence and has made me all the more determined to work hard, and prove my worth to wear the India jersey again,” he added. (ANI)