A city-based roller hockey player, Arjun Sood, 17, has made Ludhiana proud by representing India in the recently-concluded 20th Senior Men Inline Roller Hockey World Championship at Toulouse, France, held from June 30 to July 13.
As many as 24 best countries were participating in the event. Although India could not do much in the world championship, Arjun is quite contend with his performance and optimistic to give his best shot at the upcoming Asian Inline Hockey Championship to be held in China on September 15.
Sood, who plays at the midfield position, after getting selected during trials in Faridabad on May 17 had attended a seven-day camp, followed by another 12-day camp, prior to the World Series, at Noida.
Now, Arjun will be attending a one month-long national camp in August at Sirsa, Haryana, as part of preparation for the upcoming Asian Inline Hockey Championship in September.
Sood attributed speed and unavailability of proper infrastructure for the sport in the country as the prime factors for India’s poor show at the World Series. However he maintained, “We have certainly improved upon our game on the international platform from the last couple of years, and would continue to produce results in the future.”
As many as 16 other players from the country also participated in the world championship. Besides, Sood was the youngest player after Raghav, 15, in the senior Indian inline hockey squad.
{{/usCountry}}As many as 16 other players from the country also participated in the world championship. Besides, Sood was the youngest player after Raghav, 15, in the senior Indian inline hockey squad.
{{/usCountry}}“My coach and mentor, Balwinder Singh, and Harpreet Singh, have been really helpful and source of inspiration throughout my career. I am really impressed with the way Amit Sharma, captain of the Indian team, co-ordinates and manages the team.”