Niyaz a step away from donning India jersey

Nagpur, Railways’ star player selected in 

33-member core group by Hockey India

By Paritosh Pramanik

SAYYAD Niyaz Rahim is just a step away from fulfilling his as well as Nagpurians’ dreams. The star player, who plays for Indian Railways has made it to the 33-member core group of Indian hockey team.
Niyaz was first selected for the 60-member Senior Men’s National Hockey Camp by Hockey India two weeks ago. After the 12 days trials at SAI Centre Bengaluru, the squad was pruned to 33.
Hockey India generally picks 18-member team from these 33 members for various tournaments. With a couple of tournaments lined up, Niyaz is all but sure to get his India cap sooner than later.
An elated Niyaz thanked Almighty for his selection in the core group. “As I have already said my first target was to get in core group. That target I have achieved now,” said Niyaz from Bengaluru where the core group’s camp is under way.
Niyaz said it was not an easy task to get selected in the list of 33 as the competition was too hard.
“I was the only fresh face in this core group as all the others have been here for quite some time. The competition was too tough. Everybody gave more than 100 per cent. But by the grace of Almighty I managed to overcome all the challenges,” said the midfielder, who has won half a dozen national championships for Indian Railways and other teams.
Even as getting selected in the core group is a welcome news, Niyaz knows the road ahead would be more tougher. From here on he will now have to perform at the top to get into the final 18.
“It won’t be easy from here on. I have to be on my toes all the time. Now I can’t relax. The road is much tougher now. I will have to give 110 per cent to get included in the 18-member team because all the other 32 members selected are of top class,” explained Niyaz.
India would be travelling to Australia next month before the team is selected for Hockey World Series Final to be held at Bhubaneswar. Niyaz said he would try to get in selected and will work hard for it. “I would try to get selected for the Australia tour. That’s the target now,” said Niyaz.
Hailing from a hockey playing family, Niyaz, son of former national-level player Mumtaz-ur Rahim, fondly called as ‘Rabbani chacha’ in hockey circle, learned the tricks of trade playing at his school Tidke Vidyalaya. At the same time he joined Bright Club and then Police Boys before settling with Dhyanchand Sports Academy, one of the best clubs of the region. After passing out from Tidke in 2005, the fleet-footed Niyaz did his graduation in Bachelors in Physical Education in 2011. He travelled with South East Central Railways team and started playing all over the country. He was selected by SAI, Mumbai and later got a job with the South Central Railways on the basis of his unbeatable performance.
“All credit to my family and all those who helped me reach this far,” said Niyaz. 
“The list of my well-wishers is long. I don’t want to miss out anybody hence not taking any name,” said Niyaz.
Niyaz is an integral part of Indian Railways (RSPB) team for more than six years and has won Hockey India Nationals on three successive seasons.