Akash Chikte of Yavatmal in Indian team
for Asian Champions Trophy
By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 8
EVERY sportsperson dreams of playing alongside his/her idol. They all want to become like the player they adore and worship in their learning days. Same was India goalkeeper Akash Chikte’s dream, to play alongside Indian custodian PR Sreejesh. Chikte, who hails from Lohara village in Yavatmal district, always idolised Sreejesh. He wanted to perform like Sreejesh, make breathtaking saves like the India captain does.
The son of a welding shop owner Anil and Baby, was over the moon when he found his name in the 18-member Indian hockey team’s list that will participate in the Asian Championship Trophy to be held at Kuantan in Malaysia from October 20. Chikte’s joy had no bounds as he would be sharing the room with his idol Olympian Sreejesh who has been named as the captain of the team by Hockey India.
“It’s unbelievable. I will be playing under Sreejesh, one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said Chikte over phone from Bengaluru where he was attending the Indian team’s preparatory camp.
Though his chances of playing in any match are bleak as Sreejesh would be guarding the Indian citadel in almost all the encounters, Chikte said he would learn a lot from him. “Sree bhai would be playing most of the matches. But I will get an opportunity to learn a lot of new things from him as well as from others,” said Chikte, who had represented Vidarbha Hockey Association in 2008 Bhopal nationals. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and it would be the best opportunity to learn finer points from him,” he added.
Chikte was selected as the first choice goalkeeper for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament held in Ipoh in May earlier this year. The lanky goalkeeper did not disappoint as India won silver medal in that tournament. Had 18 members been allowed for Rio Olympics, Chikte would have been the automatic choice as the second goalkeeper.
But after his silver winning feat, Chikte was confident of securing a berth in Indian squad for Asian Champions Trophy. “I had performed well in Sultan Azlan Shah meet. I was confident of getting selected. I was also working hard during the training sessions,” he mentioned. Chikte pipped Indian Railways’ goalkeeper Abhinav Pandey to get into the team. “If I get a chance to play any match I assure you I wont’s disappoint,” he added.
“I would like to thank Manoj Bhore sir (Hockey Maharashtra secretary) and my BEG coach Sagar Thakur who helped from time to time,” he added.
The tournament will see India, Korea, Japan, China and hosts Malaysia challenge defending champions Pakistan.
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