For Dilraj Singh, standing on the podium on December 10 wearing the Indian jersey and clutching a Junior World Cup bronze medal was far more than a sporting achievement. It was the emotional pinnacle of a journey marked by poverty, sacrifice, and a mother's unshakeable faith.
A Journey Forged in Hardship
Hailing from a financially strained family in Gurdaspur, Dilraj's early life was defined by uncertainty. His father's income barely covered daily necessities, pushing the young boy to seek a path that could secure a better future for his entire family. Hockey emerged as that beacon of hope.
His initial training began as a goalkeeper at the Cheema Academy in Batala, rubbing shoulders with future national players. However, his confidence wavered, leading him to abandon the academy, return home, and even quit the sport temporarily, despite his coach's pleas to return.
The Turning Point: A Mother's Ultimate Sacrifice
The course of his life changed irrevocably when his mother, Rupinder Kaur, revealed she had sold her gold jewellery to fund his hockey dreams. This profound act of love reignited Dilraj's determination. He resumed his training at the Ghuman Kala Academy, making a crucial switch from goalkeeper to field player.
Progress remained painstakingly slow. After a year, with opportunities scarce, disappointment loomed again. Yet, his mother's conviction never faltered. She believed hockey would eventually grant her son dignity and stability, even if success demanded patience.
Breaking Through Against All Odds
After numerous trials, Dilraj finally secured a spot at the Surjit Academy in 2016-17. The pressure intensified as his father's health declined and finances grew tighter. Villagers often advised him to quit sports and focus on studies. Support came from a precious few: his parents and his maternal uncle, Surender Singh, who provided both emotional and financial backing during the toughest times.
At Surjit Academy, coach Gurdev Singh offered crucial understanding, allowing Dilraj to visit home whenever his father was ill. This support helped him navigate one of life's most difficult chapters. A significant early milestone came at age 14, when he won his first tournament prize of Rs 5,000 at an under-14 event in Chandigarh. He handed the entire amount to his mother—a symbolic return on her sacrifice.
Six long years of rigorous training followed, filled with constant doubt. The breakthrough finally arrived in 2023 with his selection for the national camp under coach Janardhan. Success soon followed: a bronze at the Junior Johor Cup 2023 and a gold at the Junior Asia Cup 2024, which secured India's qualification for the Junior World Cup.
The Rs 1.5 lakh he earned from these tournaments was immediately directed toward his father's medical treatment, cementing Dilraj's role as the family's primary earner.
A Birthday Bronze and a Promise Fulfilled
In 2025, despite not being named in the initial standby list, Dilraj persevered with his training. Defying expectations, he earned a place in the final squad for the Junior World Cup. On his birthday, December 10, India clinched the bronze medal, making the victory intensely personal.
The tournament brought him a prize of Rs 5 lakh. With this money, Dilraj performed a poignant act of reciprocity: he bought his mother gold earrings, replacing the jewellery she had sold years ago to buy his first hockey kit.
One painful truth remains: his mother has never seen him play live. His next dream is straightforward—to make the senior Indian team, achieve financial security, and one day bring her to a stadium to witness firsthand how far their shared journey has come.
Dilraj Singh's story transcends goals and medals. It is a narrative of transforming struggle into purpose and carrying familial sacrifice onto the global stage. Armed with the World Cup lesson that "it's not over until it's over," he is now set to play for team SG Pipers in the upcoming Hockey India League, ready for the next chapter in his remarkable career.
