HIL Will Help Me Build a Home: Ajit Pandey, Junior Hockey Player

Indian junior hockey team forward Ajit Pandey said HIL provided him an opportunity to help his family financially.

The Junior Indian hockey team made history after winning their first World Cup title in 15 years in December. (Photo: IANS)

Indian junior hockey team forward Ajit Kumar Pandey, who was picked by defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors for the forthcoming Hockey India League (HIL), said on Friday that the showpiece event provided him an opportunity to help his family financially.

For the 21-year-old Pandey, whose father works as a driver, playing in the HIL is not just an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best players in the hockey world, but it has also helped him build a house for his family at Karampur, a village in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Until now we didn’t have a house of our own. I come from a poor family and have five sisters and one brother. I am the youngest of them. Growing up, I have seen my family struggle financially but now with the HIL money, I know I can help my family live a comfortable life.

Ajit Kumar Pandey

"No one in my family ever expected that I would be able to earn so much money through hockey, but it's a reality today and everyone at home is very excited for me," added the India forward who scored a swashbuckling goal against Canada in the pool matches at the Junior World Cup in Lucknow.

Ajit Kumar Pandey in action. (Photo Courtesy: Hockey India)

Pandey is eager to make most of the experience and said he had waited for this opportunity for a long time.

I made my debut for the Indian junior team in 2016 and my first India camp was in 2014. I was really hoping to get a chance to play in the HIL and now that I have received that opportunity, I would really like to make the most of it and justify my worth.

Ajit Kumar Pandey

For the Punjab franchise, Ajit will be part of the forward line alongside veteran SV Sunil, Jacob Whetton, Nithin Thimmaiah, Satbir Singh, Jasjit Singh Kular and junior India teammate Armaan Qureshi.

As a forward, I follow Jacob and Sunil <i>bhai</i> a lot. I feel this is the right opportunity for me to learn from them and implement in my own game.

Ajit Kumar Pandey

Hockey India League begins from 21 January.

(With inputs from IANS)