Vivek Sagar Prasad mentions the word 'junoon' (passion) almost every time he describe his love for hockey.
It is perhaps that 'junoon' that saw the 18-year-old lead the Indian boys team to the podium of the just-concluded Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires with a silver medal around his neck even after suffering from a career-threatening injury and bouts of depression as a result of it.
Late in 2016, after the young midfielder from Itarsi (Madhya Pradesh), was shortlisted as one of the probables for the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup, Prasad suffered a serious collar-bone injury while playing a practice match.
So grievous was the blow that not only were his World Cup dreams shattered, dark clouds of uncertainty hovered around his blossoming hockey career as well. "There was a time during that phase that I didn't know whether I would be able to step on to a hockey field ever again," Prasad told DNA from Buenos Aires.
As a prodigious talent who was mentored by Ashok Kumar – the 1975 World Cup winner and son of the legendary Dhyan Chand – Prasad's fear of never holding his hockey stick again in that helpless state of mind and body led to the then 16-year-old slipping into periods of depression.
"Those few months were the most difficult for me. I tried not to go into depression again and again because of my negative thoughts and fear, but it was challenging."I used to pray every day for just that one more chance of playing hockey again, of fulfilling my dream of representing India," the soft-spoken teen adds.Turn to P4
Motivational talks from his family, friends and coaches coupled with his inner voice gave him hope that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
"My family, coaches and friends helped me a lot. They supported me and motivated me to get back. Also, somewhere deep down my heart, I had the belief and trust in myself that I will recover and come back. That's how I pulled myself through," Prasad added.
Step by step, month after month, the comeback story was scripted.
Prasad returned to the Indian junior team as captain in October last year, before becoming the second youngest men's hockey player to don the Indian senior team's jersey earlier this year.
For the teen, the Youth Olympic achievement felt like an apt reward for refusing to part ways with one aspect even during his phase of injury and depression: 'junoon'.
"Even in that rough phase, I used to only think about hockey. It's because of my junoon that I am where I am today," Prasad said.
STAR IN THE MAKING
- Hailing from Itarsi in Madhya Pradesh, Vivek Sagar Prasad was first spotted by 1975 World Cup winner Ashok Kumar, who took him under his wing.
- At 17 years, 10 months and 22 days, the midfielder became the second youngest Indian men’s hockey player to play for the senior national team in January this year.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Vivek Sagar Prasad")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}