The quiet village of Mer Mandwara located in the Sirohi district has quietly transformed itself into a formidable nursery for hockey talent in Rajasthan. Over the past decade, the unmatched enthusiasm and relentless drive among the local youth for sports have yielded remarkable results, placing this rural pocket firmly on the regional and national sporting map. Despite limited resources and rural challenges, the young aspirants of this village have consistently pushed boundaries to turn their passion for hockey into tangible achievements on the field.
A Deep-Rooted Passion for Hockey
Today, Mer Mandwara is uniquely recognized for its exceptional contribution to hockey. There was a time when the sport was practically unheard of in this specific region, with locals having little to no awareness of its rules or scope. However, the picture changed drastically as young boys and students began putting in long hours of practice morning and evening on the grounds of the local government senior secondary school. Physical education teacher Parmaveer Singh has been mentoring these aspiring athletes for nearly ten years, guiding them through the foundational and advanced techniques of the sport.
The sheer dominance of the school teams can be measured by their consistent winning streak, with both the under-19 boys and girls teams holding the district champion title for the past six consecutive years. Over the last ten years, an impressive total of 175 players from this village have reached the state level, while 3 players have successfully broken through to the national level. Beyond the school staff, local philanthropists and donors frequently step forward to provide financial and logistical support to nurture these young talents.
Shining Stars on the National Stage
The journey of players who made it to the national level highlights the rigorous training taking place in the village. According to Parmaveer Singh, Rahul Rao and Thanaram were selected for national training camps, though they could not join the final tournament squad due to pandemic-related disruptions. Raveena Lohar etched her name in history by becoming the village's first female national hockey player, a feat later matched by Khushbu Kanwar who also represented the area proudly at the national level. Earlier this year, Joshna Dewasi was selected for a national camp as well, though Khushbu Kanwar ultimately secured the final spot.
Last year during the 69th national hockey tournament held in Udaipur, the Rajasthan team clinched the gold medal. Dilip Singh, a proud product of Mer Mandwara, was an integral part of this championship-winning squad, contributing heavily to the state's victory. Additionally, this year saw the national camp selections of village youngsters Chinaram and Kalaram, with Dilip Singh ultimately making the final cut. These milestone achievements continue to serve as a powerful source of motivation for the younger generation in the village.
Parmaveer Singh himself is a former hockey player who received professional training in hockey from NIS Patiala and served as the captain of the Jhinwar Jodhpur team during the 2007-08 season. His dedication to the sport runs deep within his family, with his uncles and even the third generation actively playing hockey and carrying forward the legacy of mentoring newcomers. Singh has made an earnest appeal to the region's affluent donors to help install an astroturf pitch in the village so that local players can train on modern surfaces and compete effectively at the highest levels nationwide.
