Raj Kumar Pal made history as the first player from Karampur to join the Indian senior team, achieving this feat during the Pro League against Belgium in 2020. |
Hailing from a family of hockey players, both of Raj's brothers are involved in the sport; his elder brother has competed in national tournaments while the younger brother has trained at the national camp. |
Over 400 boys from Raj’s village have been employed in various capacities thanks to hockey, but none had represented India on the international stage prior to him. |
Raj began playing hockey at just 10 years old at Meghbaran Stadium in his home village. |
He was trained by the late Tej Bahadur Singh, who established Meghbaran Stadium in 1983. |
Raj's journey in competitive hockey began after he participated in an under-14 tournament in Lucknow in 2010. |
After losing his father in a tragic road accident in 2011, Raj remained dedicated to his dreams with the support of his family and mentor. |
By 2018, he had proudly represented India in a five-nation under-23 tournament in Belgium. |
Upon learning of his selection for the Paris Olympic team, Raj experienced a wave of emotions, recalling his past struggles and the loss of his father. |
He ultimately represented India at the Paris Olympics in 2024. |