Team gonasika

Hockey India League: Amir Ali, the 20-year-old captain of the Indian junior men’s hockey team, is set to make his mark in the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25. Bagged by Team Gonasika for Rs 34 lakh at the auction, Amir’s rise from humble beginnings to the top of Indian hockey is nothing short of inspirational.

Amir, born and raised in Lucknow, is the son of a bike mechanic. He balanced helping his father after school with pursuing his passion for hockey, attending coaching sessions alongside his work. His journey from working as a part-time mechanic to captaining the Indian junior team in major international tournaments highlights the perseverance and dedication that define his career.

Reflecting on his journey and what inspired him to become a hockey player, Amir revealed, "During my teenage years, I felt embarrassed by my father’s job as a bike mechanic because I wasn’t mature enough to realise that no work is insignificant. But it was our family’s struggles that pushed me to pursue my dreams in hockey. I wanted to change our financial situation and make my family and country proud. That desire became my greatest motivation to succeed as a hockey player."