TRAGEDY TO GLORY

Kumar overcomes loss of son to help Malaysia

TWO years ago, national hockey goalkeeper S. Kumar came back from the World League in Belgium in grief after his son died.

Yesterday, it was also an emotional return to Malaysia for Kumar but this time he was given a hero’s welcome by his family members.

They waited for Kumar at KLIA and unfurled a banner, which read “We are proud of you, S. Kumar.”

In 2015, it was heartbreak for Kumar when his three-year-old son, Harshenn, died of blood infection when he was in Belgium for the World League Semi-Final, which was then an Olympic qualifier.

He came back and did not play in the tournament as Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“The last two years have been very difficult for me. I lost my son in June, 2015. But today, also in the month of June, I helped the team qualify for the World Cup.

“I had wanted to quit hockey in 2015 but I changed my mind. I told myself that I will only retire after achieving a lasting legacy.

“I will carry on for as long I can but it is getting physically very demanding due to my age.

“You are more likely to suffer injury when you are old. I have a special programme to keep my body condition for training and matches.”

Kumar, 38, who won the Best Goalkeeper award during the World League Semi-Finals in London last week, has urged his national teammates to ply their trade in Europe.

He feels that playing in Europe’s top leagues will not only help players improve their game but also mature faster in other aspects.

“I hope our players will head to Europe and try their luck with clubs in the German and Dutch leagues during the off season here.

“Their first and second divisions are very competitive.

“I had offers to play in the Netherlands and Germany but I had to turn them down due to national team commitments. I did, however, play in the Indian League and the exposure helped me improve in many aspects.

“Belgium and Ireland were once below us but today, they are better because their core players play in the top leagues.

“I would say that the top teams outside Europe have more than five players representing top clubs in that continent.

“European teams have improved a lot due to the competitive nature of their leagues. We need to get our players there.”

The last two years have been very difficult for me. I lost my son in June, 2015. But today, also in the month of June, I helped the team qualify for the World Cup.

S. KUMAR National hockey goalkeeper