Mareeswaran Sakthivel Impresses with Hat-Trick at Senior National Hockey Championship

Tamil Nadu’s forward, Mareeswaran Sakthivel, has been making waves at the 13th Senior National Hockey Championship with his exceptional performances. After a quiet start in the opening match, Mareeswaran bounced back with a bang in the subsequent game, helping Tamil Nadu secure a massive 13-1 victory over Himachal. For his outstanding hat-trick performance, he was named the player of the match.

In his initial game, Mareeswaran operated on the flanks as part of the team’s tactical approach, but he truly showcased his prowess in the following match. Speaking about his recognition as the player of the match, the 24-year-old shared, “Every match, I strive to give my best. And instead of me evaluating my performances, I feel it’s better for a third person to do that, and this player of the match award is an acknowledgment that I’m doing the best I can.”

Mareeswaran Sakthivel made his debut for the Indian national team during the Men’s Asia Cup in Jakarta in May of the previous year. His performance during the tournament, including a crucial goal in the intense 4-4 draw against eventual champion South Korea, contributed to India winning the bronze medal after defeating Japan 1-0 in the third-place classification match.

Highlighting the significance of the Senior Nationals in the Indian hockey landscape, Mareeswaran stated, “This is the number one tournament in India because we get selected for national camps based on our performances here. The officials select 60 players from here and shortlist them for the national core group, which consists of 33 players.”

Chennai has recently become a hub for hockey tournaments, hosting events such as the Asian Champions Trophy, where the Indian team secured gold, and the Murugappa All-India invitation hockey tournament. Mareeswaran believes that hosting multiple hockey events within a short span is a positive step for the state and Indian hockey in general.

Mareeswaran Sakthivel’s remarkable performances continue to impress, and his dedication to the sport is evident in his quest to contribute to both his team and the national squad.