FIH PRO League: Back to Indian Roots, Sikh-Englishman Rohan Bhuhi Savors playing hockey in the “best place in the world”

When Rohan Singh Bhuhi went on the field against Argentina on December 9, 2023, he became the first Sikh player to play hockey in English colors in 23 years.

For a community that is the undisputed leader in hockey in India, it is surprising that it took so long there.

Playing in India for the first time at the FIH Pro League, Bhuhi was proud of his achievements. “I am really proud and happy to be here. I hope I could be a model for some people and I think it is important for everyone to have people they can admire, “said the 24 -year -old.

From early, Bhuhi and his younger brother Yuvraj were encouraged by their father Harvinder to take sport. Bhuhi first continued football and played a cricket before turning to hockey.

While Rohan Bhuhi has already experienced large crowds in Malaysia, he savor by playing at the Kalinga stadium. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

He did the team of the team under the age of 16 in England in 2016 and climbed in the ranks of the levels of under 18, 19 and 21 to be part of the Elite Development Program of Great Britain ( GB) before its international beginnings in 2023.

He was also part of the GB team who beat India in the Sultan’s Sultan’s final in 2019.

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A complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2021 saw it out of action for almost 15 months before gradually returning to the field. Meanwhile, his brother Yuvraj is currently a goalkeeper of the team under the age of 21 in England.

“My father is from Jalandhar before moving to Kenya and then emigrated to England. He has been playing for a long time and he presented hockey. We have been playing for very young people in the garden and my mother and my father sustained for very young people, taking me everywhere across the country and allowing me to be my best all the time, ”said Bhuhi.

He hopes there are more players of Indian origin who play through sport. “I think it is important that our communities encourage children to continue playing sports because it is a massive thing in life and that teaches you great skills,” he hoped.

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Although he has already experienced large crowds in Malaysia, he savor by playing at the Kalinga stadium.

“It’s really good to be here, an incredible stadium. It’s the best place in the world to play hockey, you get the best crowds. Before leaving, my parents just said “good luck” and I hope they can go out here and watch me play one day, “he added.