On 24 April 1997 in Kapurthala, Punjab, Krishan Bahadur Pathak a future hockey prodigy took birth. He has been active on hockey field at a senior level- since 2016 and recently dislodged the highly decorated PR Sreejesh from the number 1 spot of the goalkeeper. He served as the first choice goalkeeper in the disappointing Asian Games campaign.
A Child of Tragedy?
Krishan has had a very rough childhood. He is a child of migration. His family migrated from Nepal to the greener grass of India.His father worked as a daily wage worker in Punjab. In 2009, when he was 12 years old his mother passed away which saw his family fall apart completely. On heavy insistence from his father he joined the Jalandhar sports hostel the same year. He also spent a little time in is Uncle’s house after the untimely death of his mother. Krishan always describe that part of his life as the toughest period of his life. Just when he thought all his hardships were over another lightning stuck him with the death of his father in 2016 just three months after his 19th birthday. He surely is a beloved son of tragedy.
Introduction to Hockey:
When he was admitted to the Jalandhar Sports Hostel, he was not particularly interested in the sport. However with time the coaches started to see the potential in him and started training him in the beautiful game of Hockey. He,being a stubborn kid by nature learnt the sport with full passion and got installed as the first choice goalie for the Junior team.
That Little part called Happiness:
After being chosen as the first choice goalkeeper for the Junior team. Krishan Bahadur Pathak first significant Tournament was the Junior’s Men Hockey World Cup to be held in Lucknow in 2016, just a few months after the demise of his father. Pathak played like an Indian Knight in the shining armour and lead the team to a Victory in the Cup. Indians impressed with their performances and Krishan was like a cherry on the cake. His performances also got him a professional contract in the Australian Hockey league.In an interview Krishan said that the Hardships which he faced in his life made him tough to face any kind of situation and prepared him for all kinds of pressure.Krishan in 2018 also earned a call for senior team. He played as a reserve goalie in the Champions league where India lost in a heartbreaking manner in sudden death to Australia. He played as a first choice in Asian games in 2018.
Back to Life
Krishan still lives in a rented apartment in Punjab with his uncle. The Punjab Government had promised in 2016 to pay Rs 25 lacs to 10 players who were responsible for India winning 2016 Junior hockey but the wait is still on.
