From momos seller to hockey hero, Odisha teen overcomes hardships
Dhenkanal under-19 hockey team captain Debrat Nayak, an 18-year-old from Mangalpur village, works at a street food stall to support his family and fund his hockey gear.
Debrat Nayak nurtures a dream that transcends the humble confines of his surroundings in Mangalpur village, 5km west of Dhenkanal, a town and district bearing the same name in Odisha. The 18-year-old’s wish is as fierce as his passion for hockey, a sport that has seen him navigate the many adversities life has thrown his way.
The young boy is the captain of the Dhenkanal under-19 hockey team, and has led his district to victory in several state tournaments. “Recently, we stood third in the NUAOdisha hockey championship organised by the state government,” Debrat recounted with a quiet pride.
His journey began in a household plagued by poverty, where his father toiled in menial jobs to make ends meet. Their village’s dependence on agriculture, coupled with erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts, forced many families to abandon their homes. Yet, Debrat stayed on, his dream anchored in the dusty fields of his village.
Financial hardship, however, has been a constant companion. To pursue his dream without burdening his family, Debrat took up a job at a friend’s street food stall selling dumplings. There, he arranged tables, steamed or fried momos, and served customers with a smile, all while saving to buy his hockey gear.
“I managed to purchase my hockey stick working here and gave the other half of my salary to my parents. Though I couldn’t do much, something is better than nothing,” he said.
Determined and undeterred
Each day, after completing his duties at the stall, Debrat Nayak would strap his hockey stick to his bicycle and head to the practice ground, his sanctuary. Among the 120-130 players who trained there daily, his presence was always encouraging.
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Coaches like Saiprasad Dalei laud Debrat’s dedication and skills. “Debrat is a wonderful player,” Dalei praised. “He’s given many trials for hostel facilities but hasn’t made it due to financial issues. No player can take the ball from Debrat when he has it. We all believe he will be an international star one day. To me, he’s already a national player.”
As a captain, Debrat is known for his empathy and leadership, motivating his teammates to push beyond their limits. He goes door to door, gathering his team for practice, a glue binding them together.
Suryakant Behera, a close friend and teammate, shared unwavering faith in Debrat. “We trust his abilities and the struggles he’s endured. In him, I see a future star centre forward for India,” Behera declared. “He just needs some support from the higher-ups to realise his dream and put our district on the national map.”
Dreams on a muddy field
Yet, their journey has not been without struggle. The team currently practises on a muddy field behind the Railway Protection Force station, far from the proper turf they need. Despite this, Debrat’s team has excelled, even becoming runners-up in a grassroots-level tournament organised by the Tatas.
Debrat’s vision extends beyond personal glory. His ultimate goal is to defeat Sundargarh, a district renowned for producing some of India’s finest hockey players.
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Hockey was introduced to India 200 years ago by British soldiers of the East India Company. The game spread across the Chota Nagpur plateau, driven by Christian missionaries who established schools in the region. This early introduction laid the foundation for the game’s deep roots in Sundargarh, which has established itself as the heartland of Indian hockey, producing nearly 90 percent of Odisha’s hockey players.
The Odisha government is also the official sponsor of the Indian hockey teams, both men’s and women’s, till 2036.
Peter Tirkey, a tribal player, became the first from Odisha to represent India at the 1982 Junior World Cup. However, it was his rise in 1995 that truly transformed the region. Coming from Saunamara village, Tirkey’s journey from local talent to national team captain inspired a generation. His success demonstrated to the tribal population of Sundargarh that international accolades were within their reach.
Since Dilip Tirkey’s breakthrough, Sundargarh has produced around 100 players who have represented India. Icons like Lazarus Barla, William Xalxo, Ignace Tirkey and Prabodh Tirkey, visible on television during the Olympics and World Cups, have further fuelled this aspiration. Today, players like Amit Rohidas and Nilam Sanjeep Xess continue to carry Sundargarh’s legacy.
Dhenkanal’s hockey hero
With his class 12 exams behind him, Debrat’s focus is now on the upcoming tournament in Jajpur. The district administration, inspired by the team’s performance, has promised a turf field in Mangalpur, set to be functional in the coming years.
His parents, once sceptical, now support his aspirations as trophies and recognition pour in. With the love and support of his family, teammates and the people of Dhenkanal, Debrat remains undeterred. His eyes are fixed on every goal, whether it’s selling momos or imagining the crowd cheering his name. He embodies the adage, “tough times never last, but tough people do”.
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The lead image on top shows Debrat Nayak on the hockey field near Mangalpur village in Odisha. (Photo by Devashish Biswal)
Devashish Biswal is a graduate of English journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He has an eye for stories with the potential to grab people’s attention.
