The Hockey Junior Men’s World Cup is almost here and for Indian team defender Shardanand Tiwari it is everything. The young defender comes from a humble background in Lucknow and for him, hockey is the only escape route.

He feels that it is the sport that will bring an end to his problems and also resolve financial distress in his family. Currently among the probables in India’s junior team for the World Cup in Bhubaneswar Shardanan Tiwari shares his story.

The youngster was part of the Uttar Pradesh team at the Khelo India Youth Games. “It has been a challenging journey. I didn’t have enough financial support initially as my father was the sole bread earner. He works as a home guard, and I have an elder brother as well, so all the earnings were spent on our studies.”

Tiwari shared how he used to work in a departmental store and earn rs700 and could not afford to buy shoes or sticks to play hockey. But he also added that ever since he started playing the sport his life has changed. It allows him to move away from his problems in life. He believes that hockey will resolve issues in his life and bring peace to his family.

He was also a part of the Indian youth team at the 2019 Sultan of Johar Cup, where India clinched the silver medal. Speaking about his achievements, the youngster added, ““It was my debut tournament with the national team, and the moment I got to know that I’ve made the cut, I called my dad. I told him that I will be playing for India, he got very emotional, and, that moment I realised, my dad is the reason behind it. I see him as my biggest inspiration. He used to stay awake in the night and also used to work in the day only because I and my brother could pursue our dreams.”

Shardanand Tiwari dreams of playing for the senior Men’s team one day. He dreams of representing India on the world stage. He knows for that to happen he needs to give his all at the junior camp and if he gets selected he needs to deliver at the upcoming Junior Men’s World Cup.