By Rajeev Kumar
Bhubaneswar, Dec 4: The best players of the world are best not because they play for the best teams but because they are capable enough to have that tag based on their own abilities. A player’s identity comes through because of his own skills, regardless of how his team performs. Belgium hockey star Tom Boon fits these assertions exactly and can be called the best player of his side.
Even though Belgium finished at the bottom of the recently-concluded Champions Trophy here, Tom remained the favourite of the fans, especially schoolchildren who were always turning out in large numbers to support him.
Tom ruled hearts and with some support from teammates he would have certainly ruled the pitch as well.
Boon hit the jackpot early this year when the HIL franchise Dabang Mumbai bagged him for $1,03,000 for the 2015 season, approximately a little
over $25,000 per week for the four-week event. But money never drives Tom, hockey does.
“I have come here to play for my country and I will try to do the best so that we can we can win a medal here,” Tom clarified his intentions during
the Champions Trophy.
When asked if he felt any pressure because of his high price, Tom said: “No…Not any pressure. When I come here again in January then I will focus on Mumbai. But for now, I am completely focussed for my country.”
Born in a family of hockey players, Tom remembers the first time he started playing the game. “I was probably three or four years old when I started playing the game,” stated the 24-year-old. A veteran of over 170 matches, the Belgium international is one of the key players for his side.
And he was prompt to point out that playing in front of a full house is a memory he will always cherish. “I love to be here (Bhubaneswar). People are
good and energetic. Their presence boosts me to play well,” said Tom adding that he enjoys playing against India with whom Belgium share bitter-sweet memories of wins and losses.
Many overseas players from Europe expressed uneasiness over the warm weather condition prevalent in Bhubaneswar after they arrived. But Tom, who is determined to prove his bidders right, said: “The weather is pretty warm here but I think players should adjust. That is the duty of the player and heat should not affect my performance.”
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar is one of Tom’s favourite hockey destinations. “This is really a nice place with beautiful stadium and awesome hockey fans,” he said. Tom has recently developed a liking for ‘spicy’ Indian food.
“It is spicy but I eat it anyway,” he signed off.