Kabaddi changes Nitin’s fortunes
Even before playing a match for the first time in Lucknow, Nitin Tomar – the costliest player in the history of Pro-Kabbadi League – has a huge fan following. In his maiden public appearance in Lucknow on Wednesday, Nitin, 22, was the cynosure of all eyes.
Such a following was not there for him even in the first three seasons when he played for different teams, including Bengal Warriors, where he had an impressive 77 raid points last season.
Things suddenly changed for him, especially after his impressive run in World Cup last year, which helped him attract a record bid of Rs 93 lakh for the new side – UP Yoddha.
“Things weren’t easy for me as I was always warned by my parents not to pursue sport even when I was just seven and had started playing kabaddi,” Nitin told HT on Wednesday.
“I never paid any heed to my parent’s advice and kept playing as I had limited options in my village Malakpur in Baghpat,” he said. “My family supported my only when I got a job in the Indian Navy because of the sport. All barriers were broken when I was auctioned for such a huge money for the new season,” said Nitin, who would lead the UP Yoddha against U Mumba in their first home match at the Babu Banarasi Das UP Badminton Academy at 8 pm on Friday.
“You always feel the heat while playing before your own crowd but at the same time you have a good support of the people. It is going to be a big opportunity for UP Yoddha players to dominate in all their six matches here,” he said.
“I started playing kabaddi like any other young boy of our area but always felt a special energy in me when I get some point while raiding in rival stronghold. It is true that captaining the side is an additional responsibility on my shoulders, and I was a bit nervous before the start of the season. After coming on to the mat, I was sure enough to handle all pressure,” said the poster boy of the PKL.
“My progress in the game, especially PKL, has always motivated me. While going for the auction this season, I wasn’t expecting such a big money. It’s great to have a huge amount. I have given this money to my family to decide on it,” added Nitin. “The family was watching the auction on TV and there were tense moments for all of us. But as soon the bid was officially announced, it was celebration all over. My phone did not stop ringing as everyone wanted to congratulate me for the achievement,” he said.
Nitin, who did well for Uttar Pradesh in junior national championship in the past, confessed that the life of his family has changed because of PKL, especially with the high auction money for this season.
“People used to know me because of my father but it is vice versa now,” laughed Nitin, adding, “I had never imagined that sport would change my life to such an extent.”
Having played for Puneri Paltan in the second season, Nitin admired the PKL which helped him earn a call-up to the Indian team for the Kabbadi World Cup, where he did well and managed three vital points against Iran in the final.
“It is always a different feeling when you play for your country. In UP Yoddha team, we have most of the players from Uttar Pradesh and that’s an advantage for us,” he said.
THINGS SUDDENLY CHANGED FOR HIM, ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS IMPRESSIVE RUN IN WORLD CUP LAST YEAR, WHICH HELPED HIM ATTRACT A RECORD BID OF RS 93 LAKH FOR THE NEW SIDE – UP YODDHA