Chennai: The day of 7 August was glorious when India defeated Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy with a score of 5-0. All the hockey lovers were seen celebrating India’s success at the games. It especially was a great day for Selvam Karthi as he received the title of the best young player of the match. Let’s learn how Selvam became such a star for India’s hockey team. 

The story of Selvam Karthi

Selvam’s father works as a watchman at a government college while his mother works as a house help. He has two siblings and his parents struggled to send him and his siblings to school regularly. His parents were aware of the importance of education and did not hesitate to give up their meals to provide their kids with basic needs. 

Selvam was athletic and energetic as a young kid and played football and basketball with his school friends. In grade 7, he decided to take sports seriously and enrolled in the Tamil Nadu Government Sports Hostel in Ariyalur.  

Entry into the hockey team

Selvam learned to play hockey professionally during his time at the hostel. After years of practice, he was capable enough to participate in championships. In the year 2018, in the Junior National Championship, he showcased his potential to the fullest by scoring twice in four consecutive matches. His team secured the 16th position, but more importantly, he made everyone chant his name. 

While playing for a championship in 2019, his hard work paid off when he could earn a place in the Indian Junior National Hockey team and the state government’s Sports Hostel for Excellence in Hockey Hub Kovilpatti. 

Losing hopes in lockdown

The lockdown put a pause on Selvam Karthi’s dreams to play for the Indian Hockey team. His mother could not continue with her work, and his father’s income was insufficient to run the family. Selvam took up a part-time job as a worker at a bakery to help his father, due to which his practice was discontinued. 

Sadly, he could not participate in the Junior World Cup because of his increased weight. And to double his troubles, he was not allowed to play in any other junior-level tournaments as well. 

Rejoining the team

Selvam put all the mishappenings behind him and started with his practice with hopes of being selected in the senior level National Championship. Finally, he made his debut in 2021. He single-handedly made the Tamil Nadu team reach the quarter-finals but then lost to the Maharashtra team before the semi-finals. 

Selvam’s talent did not remain hidden from anyone. In 2022, he played for the senior team in the Asia Cup; his first match was against Pakistan. After his stellar performance, he got the opportunity to join the Indian senior hockey team. 

So far, he has played 16 matches for India. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, in order to help Selvam’s family financially offered a new house to his family for a comfortable life. Selvam continues to perform exceptionally for the Indian team with the hope to give his parents the life they deserve.