Exclusive | 'Hockey regaining its glory': Suraj Karkera on Asia Cup triumph, home advantage and India–Pakistan sporting divide

Suraj Karkera on Asia Cup triumph, home advantage and India–Pakistan sporting divide

Indian hockey has been steadily climbing back into the spotlight, and for India's goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, the renewed buzz around the sport is more than just encouraging, it’s personal. In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, the seasoned shot-stopper opened up about the growing recognition of hockey, the electric home support during the recently concluded Asia Cup, and his thoughts on the ongoing sporting divide between India and Pakistan.

Reflecting on hockey’s journey back into mainstream sporting conversations, Karkera sounded upbeat:

“Yes, hockey is slowly growing and getting more recognition with every tournament we play. We can see that more people are showing interest in the game, and that motivates us a lot. The fan support is improving every year, which really boosts our morale as athletes.”

For a country that once dominated world hockey, Karkera believes the recent surge in interest signals a turning point.

“Hockey has always been a special sport for our country, and it feels great to see it regaining attention. We are hopeful that with consistent performances, the game will get back to the level of popularity it deserves.”

India–Pakistan sporting freeze: “Our job is to play hockey”

“Honestly, as an athlete, I don’t get into such political or administrative decisions. These are calls made by higher authorities and officials, and they are in a better position to answer. My role is very clear: to represent my country with full dedication whenever I step on the field, ” he said when asked about ongoing controversies between the two nations in sports.

Asked about the absence of India–Pakistan hockey matches, Karkera was measured in his response. He emphasised that players are trained to stay focused on the game rather than political tensions.

“Whoever the opposition is, our responsibility remains the same — to give our best and make our country proud. I believe sports should always unite people, but such decisions are beyond our control. At the end of the day, my job is to play hockey, and that’s what I concentrate on.”

This perspective highlights a recurring sentiment among athletes from both nations — while political disagreements keep the two sides apart, players often remain eager to compete purely for the love of sport.

Pulling back the curtain on his tournament prep, Karkera explained that elite hockey demands complete discipline — on and off the field. He also credited Steadfast Nutrition for supporting his fitness regime: “When it comes to nutrition and recovery, Steadfast Nutrition has always been a huge support for me. Their supplements are well tested and trusted, which gives me confidence while using them. Steadfast products have played a key role in my preparation as they help me recover faster and stay at my peak performance.”