<p>Hockey was only an afterthought for Pranav Harish but the talented goalkeeper has been making quite an impression over the last couple of years.</p>.<p>The 10th standard student of Frank Anthony Public School, named the best goalkeeper in last month’s Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar Dr GS Randhawa Memorial inter-school tournament, initially wanted to be a footballer.</p>.<p>His dreams, however, never came to fruition. With his school boasting of a decent football side, the teenager could not make an impression that would propel him to the junior side. Pranav though wanted to represent his school at any cost.</p>.<p>His coach then suggested he take up hockey as there were some spots up for grabs. Pranav, studying sixth grade then, quickly dumped the studs for a hockey stick and he instantly felt a connection. He fell in love with the game immediately which he hadn’t played until then.</p>.<p>He started off as a defender and continued in that path for two years before having another change of heart when he saw his school-mate Shreesha keep goals. “I noticed goalkeeper Bunty (Shreesha’s nickname) got the most cheers. Whenever he made a save, everyone applauded. That’s when I decided I want to be a goalkeeper.”</p>.<p>When Pranav expressed his decision to switch to keeping, coach Antony Kempes, a former State player, was taken by surprise. He initially scoffed at the idea, telling him to focus on improving as a defender. But the doors of opportunity opened for Pranav when Shreesha, in 10th standard, chose to stop playing to concentrate on his studies.</p>.<p>Pranav first started practising with tennis balls. He showed decent reflexes and impressed with his commitment, Kempes started to spend more time with the kid.</p>.<p>In 2016 Pranav bagged the best goalkeeper award in the Fr Eric Vaz memorial meet and then took home the same honour in the Centenary Shield -- perhaps the most prestigious inter-school hockey tournament in Bengaluru -- last year. At the Allan MacBride event this year, he also won the player of the tournament prize. </p>.<p>“I have to thank Anto (Kempes) sir for coaching me. Apart from grooming me, he’s been a guiding light. He always encouraged me to aim higher. He got me to train under India player Sandeep Michael where my game improved a lot. Now he wants me to attend the State trials. But since I’m in 10th standard, I can’t devote too much time for hockey. Once I complete my board exams, I’ll attend the trials. I wish to play for the State.”</p>
<p>Hockey was only an afterthought for Pranav Harish but the talented goalkeeper has been making quite an impression over the last couple of years.</p>.<p>The 10th standard student of Frank Anthony Public School, named the best goalkeeper in last month’s Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar Dr GS Randhawa Memorial inter-school tournament, initially wanted to be a footballer.</p>.<p>His dreams, however, never came to fruition. With his school boasting of a decent football side, the teenager could not make an impression that would propel him to the junior side. Pranav though wanted to represent his school at any cost.</p>.<p>His coach then suggested he take up hockey as there were some spots up for grabs. Pranav, studying sixth grade then, quickly dumped the studs for a hockey stick and he instantly felt a connection. He fell in love with the game immediately which he hadn’t played until then.</p>.<p>He started off as a defender and continued in that path for two years before having another change of heart when he saw his school-mate Shreesha keep goals. “I noticed goalkeeper Bunty (Shreesha’s nickname) got the most cheers. Whenever he made a save, everyone applauded. That’s when I decided I want to be a goalkeeper.”</p>.<p>When Pranav expressed his decision to switch to keeping, coach Antony Kempes, a former State player, was taken by surprise. He initially scoffed at the idea, telling him to focus on improving as a defender. But the doors of opportunity opened for Pranav when Shreesha, in 10th standard, chose to stop playing to concentrate on his studies.</p>.<p>Pranav first started practising with tennis balls. He showed decent reflexes and impressed with his commitment, Kempes started to spend more time with the kid.</p>.<p>In 2016 Pranav bagged the best goalkeeper award in the Fr Eric Vaz memorial meet and then took home the same honour in the Centenary Shield -- perhaps the most prestigious inter-school hockey tournament in Bengaluru -- last year. At the Allan MacBride event this year, he also won the player of the tournament prize. </p>.<p>“I have to thank Anto (Kempes) sir for coaching me. Apart from grooming me, he’s been a guiding light. He always encouraged me to aim higher. He got me to train under India player Sandeep Michael where my game improved a lot. Now he wants me to attend the State trials. But since I’m in 10th standard, I can’t devote too much time for hockey. Once I complete my board exams, I’ll attend the trials. I wish to play for the State.”</p>
