Jhansi: Fourteen-year-old prodigy Ketan Kushwaha of Jhansi scripted a memorable chapter in UP’s rich history in hockey by captaining the national Under-18 men’s team to a commanding 4-1 victory over hosts Japan in the Asia Cup final on Friday.The forward, who also found the net in the title clash, emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, bringing immense pride to Jhansi — the city synonymous with hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.Ketan’s remarkable rise from the narrow lanes of Bara Bazar to leading India on the continental stage has sparked celebrations across the city, with residents eagerly awaiting his return on Monday.Living a modest life in the old city’s Bara Bazar area, Ketan is the youngest among three brothers and a sister. His father, Dilip, is an electrician, while his mother is a homemaker.According to his coach, Subodh Khandekar, a former international hockey player who has coached young talent for many years and recently retired from Indian Railways, Ketan was inducted into the Indian Hockey League at the age of 13. He was the youngest player to be inducted into the league.Following this, he played for the Bengal team. Khandekar recalls that Ketan started attending the hockey camp at Laxmi Vyam Mandir about seven years ago, when he was just eight years old. “Initially, he was very lean, thin, and short. Though he had exceptional natural hockey skills from the beginning, he gradually gained height as he grew older,” Khandekar said. Ketan’s talent came to light while representing Jhansi in the Under-12 KD Singh Babu Tournament in Lucknow, where national-level coaches noticed him.He was subsequently admitted to the Lucknow Sports Hostel. Both of his elder brothers are also accomplished hockey players. His second brother, Rohit, currently plays hockey at the Varanasi Sports Hostel.Speaking to TOI, his father, Dilip, said, “It is a matter of pride for me and the entire city. I have no words to express my happiness.”
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