Amir, son of a mechanic, soars high

WHEN India begin their FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup campaign against Chile at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai on Friday, defender Amir Ali will be one of the key players for the hosts.

- FIROZ MIRZA @Chennai

When he steps on to the field, his father would be miles away on a footpath in Lucknow trying to fix a two-wheeler that’s broken down. The father is a small-time mechanic who doesn’t even have a shop.

For Ali, a good show at the junior World Cup would help him seek for a better future for him and his family. Ali’s experience from the 2023 edition, where India finished fourth, will be crucial if the Indian colts wish to become the champions for the first time since 2016. The 21-year-old has already represented the country in the FIH Pro League 2023-24, Asian Champions Trophy 2024 and three editions of the Sultan of Johor Cup (2022, 2023 and 2024). Yet he is yet to help his father work out of a shop.