Argus News - “From Volunteer to Visionary”: Odisha’s Hockey Prodigy Rosan Kujur Eyes Olympic Glory

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: In the heart of Odisha, where hockey pulses through the veins of its youth, a young player’s journey from block-level matches to international turf is inspiring a new generation.

In a candid interview with Argus Digital, Rosan Kujur, one of India’s rising hockey talents, shares his story — a tale of grit, growth, and dreams stitched into the fabric of a jersey he only saw on television or from distance.

“It was a proud moment for me,” he recalls, speaking about the first time he wore the India jersey, even if it was for the junior team. “I used to watch players wearing it on TV and wanted to be one of them. When I finally got the chance, it felt like my dream had come true.”

But this dream didn’t begin with national camps or elite training centres. It started at home, inspired by his elder sister who played hockey at the state level. “She used to travel to Delhi and other places for matches. Watching her play and hearing her stories made me want to try hockey,” he says. From playing at the block level, he was selected for the Panposh Sports Hostel at Rourkela — a turning point in his journey.

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Joining Panposh in 2016, he spent five formative years there. “After the COVID-19 lockdown, the hostel closed for some time, and that was tough because we couldn’t practice properly,” he shares. But resilience paid off.

When the hostel reopened, he seized the opportunity at the Khelo India trials held at the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (HPC). His performance earned him a spot at the HPC, and he trained there for two years, culminating in a strong showing at the Junior Nationals in 2023. “It’s been a long journey with its ups and downs, but I’ve learned a lot through it,” he added.

Comparing his time at Panposh and the HPC, he notes, “Both were great in their own ways, but the HPC had a more professional and approach with more advanced facilities — from the gym to the training environment and coaching setup. It really helped me improve as a player.”

Initially a defensive midfielder, his coaches soon recognized his speed and ability to break through defences. “They asked me to play as an attacking midfielder. Now I play according to the coach’s structure, creating chances for the forwards.”

His selection for the prestigious 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup was a proud moment not just for him, but for his entire support system. “My family and friends were very happy. They used to watch my matches and ask why I didn’t score goals. I told them I play according to the coach’s plan, not just for goals,” he laughs. Despite a narrow 1-2 defeat in the finals, their support never wavered. “They kept motivating me and said I did well.”

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The tournament itself was a learning experience for Rosan Kujur. “We had a strong team, and playing together — talents of similar age group — gave us a lot of confidence. Competing against good teams helped us identify our mistakes. Watching match videos later helped me understand what I can improve.”

Now, he’s gearing up for another season with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League, sharing the dressing room with stars like Krishan B Pathak, Antoine Kina, Arthur van Doren, Alexander Hendrickx, and Dilpreet Singh. “Last season, I was quite nervous since it was my first year and I wasn’t that good. I hesitated to talk to foreign players. But the physio and coaches encouraged me to interact and learn from them. This time, I’m looking forward to speaking with them more, learning from their experience, and improving my game.”

His journey has come full circle — from watching international matches as a volunteer during the 2018 Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar to now being one of the players on the turf. “I used to help receive teams at the airport, take them to hotels, and manage their luggage. It was my first time seeing international hockey up close. But now, as a player, it is totally different. There is this sense of pride that you are representing your country and the fans turn up to cheer for you.”

And what about the future? “Yes, that’s my dream,” he says when asked about wearing the Senior India jersey at the LA Olympics 2028. “But the first step is to make it to the senior team,” he signed off.

With his humility, hunger to learn, and relentless drive, that dream doesn’t seem far-fetched. From Panposh to podiums, his journey is a testament to the power of perseverance — and the magic of believing in your dreams.