New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Battling hardships for a hockey player is not new in the country, but for midfielder Raj Kumar Pal representing India at the Paris Olympics and bettering the colour of the medal remains his top priority as it will not only bring smiles on the faces of his family but many aspiring players of his village.

Hundreds of boys from Karampur village with a population of about three thousand had the dream to represent India at the Olympics in hockey, but only Raj Kumar Pal, famous as ‘Ghazipur ke Raj Kumar’, has realised the dream till date and now wishes to fulfil every unfulfilled dreams of his friends and brothers in Paris.

The youngest of three brothers, Raj Kumar has become a source of inspiration for the children of his village who are learning the basics of hockey at the Meghbaran Stadium.

From Karampur, about 40 kms from Varanasi, to Paris his journey has been an inspiring tale of determination and will power.

Raj Kumar became the first player from his village Karampur and district Ghazipur to have worn the India senior jersey when he faced Belgium in Pro League matches in 2020.

“In our family both my brothers also play hockey. The middle brother had been in the India camp and the elder brother has played at the national level. Both could not play for India and now one plays for Railways and one for Army,” Raj Kumar told

Source: PTI News