Missed His Dad’s Funeral To Represent India, Here’s Jr Hockey Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak’s Story

We are no stranger to success stories which give us the right dose of inspiration to pick up our lazy a** and work hard. While the story of Krishan Pathak is no different, it will also bring tears to your eyes.

Krishan Pathak, the backup goalie for the Indian team at the upcoming Asian Games, has learnt to deal with life the hard way. Pathak’s father, Tek Bahadur, was a crane operator in Kapurthala who shifted his base from Nepal and struggled to run the family. In his bid to assist his father, Pathak moved debris at construction sites. Speaking about the same to TOI,

“Kahaan se shuru karun, abhi tak to puri life uncertain hi rahi hai (My life has been uncertain so far). I am an orphan now. I have no one waiting for me at home. I am not sure if I have a place, which I can call home. I have suffered so many setbacks in my life; had it not been for hockey, I may have landed in the clutches of drugs.”

However, this was just the beginning of the cruel test life had put him into. Pathak lost both his parents due to heart attacks before turning 20. After his mother left his side when he was just 12 years old, he saw the last of his father two years ago, which was six months before India triumphed in the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup in which Krishan was the country’s lead goalie.

“That said, I am living my dream and I am playing hockey for the country. And, that’s the only thing that gives me satisfaction.”

The news of his father’s demise reached him just two days before he had to fly for his maiden international tournament – a seven-match series against the English junior team. In probably the hardest decision one could ever make, a brave Krishan decided to stay onboard and skip his father’s last rights. That’s the passion the youngster carries for the sport and representing his country.

“That was very difficult, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make. I called my uncle and both my sisters (who live in Nepal). They didn’t force me to return; in fact, assured me that I should stay on and play for the country. Harendra sir gave me permission to go home; but I wanted to show my mettle.”

Harendra Singh, who is the current chief coach of the senior national team, and was then the coach of the Indian junior team, said,

“I told him to go and assured him that his place in the team won’t be in jeopardy, but he said, ‘sir papa ki iccha thi ki mai India khelun (my father wanted me to represent India)’. That time, I realised that he is mentally very tough, and he is a warrior.The coach has high regards for Krishan. His reflexes are brilliant; and the kid has immense hunger to improve his game. He is definitely one for the future.”

In Kapurthala, the promising young talent lives with his uncle Chandra Pathak in a rented accommodation. The house is a small one, and Krishan’s room is even smaller with an asbestos roof.

While these warriors deserve to be supported in every way possible, the Punjab government has failed to do justice to Krishan. The Punjab government had promised Rs. 25 Lakh for each player who helped India win the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow. Krishan was one out of the 10. However, the buy is still to receive his amount with which he wants to build a house for himself.

“I stay with my uncle; he also lives in a rented accommodation. I wish to have a house of my own. The amount that was promised would have been really useful; but, these things are not in our hands.”

No matter what Krishan’s future has in store for him, he is already a winner in life. At such a young age, this boy’s story is enough to inspire a million. We wish for this las to create history in the Indian colours.