Having learnt from coaches how greatest of sportsmen need to work hard, find ways to inspire themselves and dream big, youngsters like 13-year-old Anup Walmiki are looking up to the tournament in Lucknow with immense anticipation.

Anup has worked really hard over the last three years, and is finally reaping rewards in the form of his first hockey tournament outside of Mumbai. “I am anxious but I’m also confident I’ll do well,” he says.

He started playing football for his school St Joseph, Colaba, as a centre forward and had never thought of taking up stick-work.

However, the determination of engaging himself in a sport was so high that when they (at school) were not provided a football to practice, he along with his team-mates would opt to play with plastic bottles and sticks, trying to make their passes perfect.

It was during those days that - despite being a football fan - Anup, along with cousins Devinder and Yuvraj Walmiki (who play hockey for the Air-India team) gradually switched over to hockey and given the popularity of the game in Mumbai, soon got hooked on to it.

He still remembers the days when he would play in the BHA backyard and watch his cousins at practice.

His visits increased gradually and Anup soon was in awe of hockey sticks, trying to dribble.

It was then that his father Amarpal Walmiki, who earns his living by driving through the city for tourists, spotted his son’s growing interest and egged him to practice at BHA. ‘Bawa’ MJ Patel, who has groomed a number of rookies into polished stars, soon took him under his wings.

For two years Anup, practiced at BHA without playing any tournaments as his school did not have a hockey team but this year he shifted to Our Lady of Dolours. “I have got enough tournament practice with the team now,” he says.

Taller than most boys in his age group, Anup confidently says “I can barge into the opponents’ defense area and throw my weight around.”