How astonishing is the message of receiving a cheque worth Rs. 34 lakhs? Something similar to that happened to the hardworking motorcycle mechanic, Tasavvur Ali. 

From being set to run a local motorcycle garage to earning a massive paycheck and taking control of his own destiny. Amir set an example for the other thousands of players. 

Tasavvur was by the gate of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam office in Lucknow, where he is always located when his phone buzzed with a message from his son Amir. The excitement was mixed with concern—Amir, just 20, had secured the biggest paycheck of his career, Rs 34 lakh, after being bought by a Visakhapatnam-based team in the Hockey India League (HIL).

When the Indian Express conversed with the proud father, he delightfully stated - “I was over the moon. I knew Amir would make us all proud one day… but this is the first step, he will achieve a lot more,”. 

Less than a decade ago, this seemed impossible. Hockey was just a dream. The reality was stark—while others his age were learning the sport, Amir was helping his father in the garage.

“To call it a garage is a stretch,” Tassavur added.

“I just have a small tin briefcase and sit outside the main gate of the Jal Nigam office.”

Amit Ali, the Junior India team captain stated that, -“You know, engines are heavy to lift and it’s not one man’s job. It started with that. And very soon, I began servicing bikes. I was 12 years old at the time,”. 

The youngest of five brothers, said - “My father told me and my brother Shahrukh, ‘yeh hunar hona chahiye’ (we must possess this skill). So, I helped him,”. 

Amit exclaimed that his brothers were still working with his father.

While recounting his training and how Rashid Aziz Khan and coach KD Singh spotted him, he took him under his wing. Reminiscing his practicing days in the Babu Stadium, he stated - “The ground was very close to my house. Kids from my neighbourhood went there to play so one evening, I joined them too,”. 

“Rashid sir saw something in me, and urged me to continue playing.”

For months, Amir juggled three commitments: mornings at school, afternoons assisting his father at the garage, and evenings on the hockey ground. There were times when Tasavvur had to borrow money for Amir’s sporting needs and moments when Amir had to skip training to help out at the garage.

“In 2014, I got selected at the Major Dhyan Chand Sports College in Saifai.” 

The big break alleviated his family's financial strain regarding Amir's hockey needs. Gradually, Amir began his journey toward the national team; he is now the captain of the Junior India team competing in the Sultan of Johor Cup starting Saturday and is a key player in senior coach Craig Fulton’s post-Paris Olympics rebuilding plan.

While compared to the Indian Premier League, the HIL payment is less impressive, however, it might change someone's life like Amir. 

“This is my biggest earning through hockey. I don’t know what I’ll do with it — usually, I give it to my father, so I’ll do that,” Amir continued. “But as much as the money, it’s also about pride. I have never seen my mother and father so happy. Family ki izzat honi chahiye, that’s the important thing.”