VARANASI: As fans erupted in joy after Indian hockey team’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Germany in the bronze medal play-off match, ending the 41-year drought in hockey at the Olympics, old-timers said both the historic matches – Thursday’s win in Tokyo and the ‘golden moment’ of 1980 against Spain – had the common Kashi connection.
While Varanasi’s legendary dribbler, Padma Shri late Mohd Shahid, was a part of the Indian squad in 1980 in Moscow, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay of Kashi’s Bhagatpur village was the lone player in the Indian hockey team from Uttar Pradesh this time around.
After Thursday’s feat, India became the most successful team in men’s hockey at the Olympics with 12 medals, including eight gold, one silver and three bronze.
Lalit’s family remained glued to the television set as soon as the match began on Thursday. His father, Satish Upadhyay, had performed special rituals at a local temple to pray for team India’s victory.
Though Lalit was not a part of the ‘playing eleven’, cheering for India was what mattered to the family.
And when the winning moment arrived, the family jumped with joy.
“It was a great show by the Indian team. The boys had played well in the semifinal too but lost in the last 15 minutes. This time, they held their nerves till the last moment.” Satish said.
“There can be nothing more valuable than a father being recognised by the name of his son. Today, wherever I go, people identify me as Lalit’s father. I have two sons, Lalit and Amit. They have never demanded anything from me and always focussed on their goals. Lalit doesn’t talk much but shares everything with his mother,” he added.
Lalit’s mother, Rita Upadhyay, got emotional while watching the match. “He has to stay away from home most of the time. But whenever he is around, he shares everything about his game and friends,” she said.
Lalit’s sister Anjali said, “It is great to see India winning an Olympic medal after decades. I am happy that my brother is a part of this team.”
“I am proud of my brother. He has brought honour to the family and his hometown,” Lalit’s brother, Amit Upadhyay, said.
Lalit started his journey from UP College in Varanasi under coach Parmanand Mishra and went on to become a part of the national hockey squad as a centre forward.
“We all are emotional right now as Lalit has faced a lot of hardships in the past. But we don’t want to talk about it today as he has proved his mettle and made us all extremely proud,” coach Parmanand Mishra said.
People were seen celebrating the success in various parts of the city. Keshav Prasad Yadav, a sweet shop owner, came out on the streets and distributed sweets among passersby.
Sportspersons also gathered at the Olympian Vivek Singh Academy, Sampurnanand Sports Stadium and Lalpur hockey stadium to cheer for India.
“After winning gold in the 1980 Olympics, when Shahid Bhai was in the team, we had been facing a long drought of medals. It is a coincidence that we won a medal when another local boy was in the team,” international hockey player, Pravin Singh, said.
Hockey patron Gauri Shankar Singh, who is the father of another Olympian, late Vivek Singh, said: “After being defeated by Australia, Indian team bounced back well in time and created history.”
