'Pressure is a..': Ex-India Hockey captain lays out million dollar advise to youngsters

Two days have gone by in a flash in the XIX Asian Games and it's raining medals for India. As this write-up is being created Ind-W just got the better of SL-W to secure the second Gold Medal of Day 2. Aside from cricket, Rowing has proved to be a happy hunting discipline for Team India. Moreover, Shooting has as usual started to reap Gold for India. 

3 things you need to know

• XIX Asian Games are taking place in Hangzhou, China
• The medal forecast stands 100 above for Team India
• Men's Hockey Team starts on a winning note

Also Read | India rout Uzbekistan 16-0 in Asian Games men’s hockey goalfest

The 19th edition of Asian Games to be historic

Since the estimation is 100 and above, therefore more events are set to emerge in due course during Indian contingent's stay in Hangzhou. Among the many sports, Hockey also carries a prominent position and comes as a sport where hopes are riding high for a potential Gold Medal. Moreover, with the way Team India has begun its campaign, winning 16-0 against Uzbekistan in the opener, the contention only gets stronger.

Also Read | 'Immense pride': India hockey star on being named joint flag-bearer at Asian Games

Viren Rasquinha on his Fond memory

It is realised thought that no feeling can better the realisation of standing at the podium, witnessing the tricolour going up and the national anthem echoing simultaneously. Many new medallions are going to experience the profoundness of it soon and to know how it feels, republicworld.com joined a roundtable conference where the guest was none other than the former captain of Team India Viren Rasquinha. We asked Viren about a memory that he carries as his fondest and what advise he has for the youngsters out there representing India. 

"So many fond memories. I played the Busan 2002 Asian Games and that was a tough one for me. Just yesterday, I had a look at my silver medal and it's been 20 years I have not really looked at the medal because it's been so disappointing over the last 20 years to lose that Gold Medal because in that match in the final, we had beaten a very strong Pakistan team in the semi-final 4-3 and that Pakistan team had Sohail Abbas, Wasim Ahmed, Salman Akbar, Muddasar, so such a great Pakistan team and it settled up for the final against an equally strong Korean team as well and Korea were leading us 3 nil in that final, India made it 3-all and then we made a mistake in the last couple of minutes, Korea made it 4-3 and we lost from there so it was such a disappointment for me to lose that Gold Medal in that Asian Games. So, yeah it was bittersweet memories but to the young kids over there especially the debutants, in the teams across all sports I would just say that enjoy the experience the joy and honour of representing your country is immense. I think pressure is a privilege and the pressure will be even more with the Olympic qualification on the line. Just do what's in your control and do it to the best of your ability."

*The extensive coverage for the continental sporting spectacle -- Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games will be broadcast LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4, and Sony Sports Ten 5 channels (SD & HD) with Hindi and English commentary for the broadcast sports and will be live streamed on Sony LIV. Additionally, Indian cricket teams’ matches will have commentary in Tamil and Telugu as well.