NEW DELHI, DEC 12: Six-year-old Gagan was enjoying a game of marbles in the backyard of his border town home in Ferozepur, Punjab one evening, when his father put a hockey stick in his hands. Adept at striking the glass balls with pinpoint accuracy, the youngster found himself engrossed until his mother called him for dinner. Hockey soon became a passion for Gagan Ajit Singh.

It couldn't have been any other way. His Olympian father and uncle -- Ajit Singh and Harmik Singh -- fed him with anecdotes of their playing days, and the child's appetite and passion for the game grew. He made steady progress from Shahid Bhagat Singh Park in Ferozepur to Sports College, Jalandhar and the spotlight was on him at the Junior Nationals in June this year. He emerged the highest scorer with 25 goals.

The 16-year-old Air-India forward has an insatiable hunger for goals, and the ability to strike out of the blue -- both ways. He is a lethal striker inside the circle and his knack for exploiting the no off-side rule -- which still has the Indian coaches in a knot -- has given the defenders and goal-keepers a torrid time.

His striking power was underlined when he became the highest scorer for Air-India in the all-India Gurmeet Singh tournament and the Nehru tournament this year. It is just unfortunate that he was forced to pull out of the ongoing Federation Cup after the first match due to injury.

Gagan was dumped from the England-bound squad of 16. ``Gagan is too raw to play in such a big tournament,'' coach Baskaran had said then.

Undeterred, he joined his colleague Ajay Kumar, now a defender with Air-India, in night practice sessions at the National Stadium. The hard work paid off as he was soon offered a job with Air-India. Gagan grabbed the opportunity in the first tournament he played with the Mumbai professional side. His performance in the Nehru tournament made his manager Neil Lobo comment, ``This guy is a killer in the circle. He converted at least four quarter chances into goals. He is a kind of player India needs for the future -- the 2000 Olympics.''

Gagan's father Ajit Singh, who represented India at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, has been the guiding force and makes it a point to watch every match his son plays. The agony on the father's face was palpable after Gagan was dropped from the junior National team. ``It brought back the dark memories of 1975 when he was dropped from the historic side that won the World Cup. Even though he was sad, he talked to me all night, gave me a lot of strength. He has motivated me to keep going on and take things in my stride,'' said Gagan.

The turning point in his career came in 1995 when Air-India Academy coach A K Bansal spotted him at an Open tournament in Nainital. A year's stint at the Academy saw his blossom into an all-round player. ``I practised hard at my dodging skills, and improved my shooting skills instead.''

``I like Sabu for his style and composure. He is a simpleton, keeps to himself and I admire the way he carries himself. Paaji (Pargat) keeps joking around with the juniors unlike many other national team players. He has no airs.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.