The 2025 edition of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup has been a redemption arc for the Indian Navy hockey team. The side was not invited for last year’s event after losing all four of its encounters in 2023.
However, this season, it has been among the teams to beat, comfortably qualifying for the semifinals with a 100% win record in the group stage. With its reputation on the line, the team’s extensive preparation ahead of the competition seems to have borne fruit.
“We requested the organisers for a chance this time, promising that we’d do our best. We had a 20-day camp in Bhubaneswar before the competition. We have come fully prepared,” Navy coach Ajay Kumar told Sportstar.
“We have brought a very young team this year. We don’t have our international players like Jugraj Singh, Pawan and Aditya Lalge. We wanted to make it to the semifinals, and we managed to do that,” he added.
The Navy side participates in numerous tournaments across the year, such as the Beighton Cup in Kolkata, the Nehru Cup in Delhi, the Surjit Memorial Trophy in Punjab, and the Bengaluru League. But coach Ajay says that the Gold Cup in Chennai is at the top of the pile in terms of importance.
“This tournament is always the first in the new season. Performing well here, against the top 10 teams in the country, sets you up for the rest of the year,” Ajay said.
“Playing against the best, including international players and former Olympians, will give an extra motivation for the boys to do well and will help them make it to the Hockey India League and the national team,” he added.
Steadfast encouragement
The Odisha camp ahead of the current tournament is just one example of the support extended by the team’s higher-ups in its development. Round-the-clock coaching and the best-in-class facilities have made the Navy team a conducive destination for many young hockey players in the country.
“If you have a job elsewhere, you have less time to concentrate on sports. But, when it comes to the Navy, they are willing to let you play your game one hundred per cent,” said K. Selvaraj, who was scouted by the Navy after he scored four goals in three appearances for Tamil Nadu in the 2024 Hockey Nationals held in Chennai.
Sanjit Toppo, who captained the side in its win over the Central Board of Direct Taxes, also heaped praise on the backing provided by the setup.
“It is a great achievement to put the Navy name on our chest and shoulders. It’s an amazing platform for sportspeople to come and play for the defence forces,” Sanjit said.
“Hockey is not a sport that involves the rich. It involves people from middle-class or poorer backgrounds. Every player dreams to play with the best equipment, and the Navy provides us the best shoes, good sticks, and the best supplements, only asking us to give our best on the field in return,” he said.
An opportunity like no other
After making his initial foray into hockey in Mumbai, forming a part of the sub-junior and junior teams of Maharashtra, Sanjit was invited to play for the Navy, which he concedes was a difficult choice to make.
“We were initially afraid to try something new and be away from family.
“But we then got to know about the facilities and the number of A-grade tournaments the team plays. Our families were also happy to see us in uniform,” the Navy athlete said.
Selvaraj, who was part of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu’s (SDAT) Sports Hostel of Excellence in Kovilpatti, also moved away from the comfort of his home State to join the forces, where he now holds the rank of a Havildar.
“The atmosphere was slightly different in the beginning. But I wanted to play more and more. I thought it would be the right decision. I thought playing in these A-grade tournaments would help me take a step up in my career,” the attacking midfielder said.
“The Navy team is like a family,” says Sanjit. “We train, stay and eat together. It helps us develop unity among us, and that translates on the pitch.”
“I would love to tell all the young ones to please come and join the defence forces. It is good for the country and will help them build for themselves a bright future,” he said.