M. Senthil shed a few tears at the MRK Stadium after IOB’s win over Southern Railway in the Chennai Hockey Association super six on Wednesday.

A bundle of emotions, the forward was lost for words. It was a poignant day for Senthil because he had told his teammates that the Railway match would be his last for IOB. After 15 years of distinguished service for the bank team, it was time to open a new chapter in his life.

The thought of hanging up the stick, which had been an extension of his body since he was 13-years-old, was excruciating for Senthil. It is difficult to deal with retirement in any field but the pain is more acute for sportspersons because emptiness fills up what had once been an action-packed life. ‘Former’ isn’t an alluring suffix.

Senthil has no regrets, though. “IOB won the title in my first tournament and I’m going out in a blaze of glory as we have won the super six title. The timing to call it quits is important in sports. I don’t want to plod on for the sake of playing. I felt I should pave the way for youngsters. I have taken the right decision,” the 34-year-old said.

Senthil has played more than 50 matches for India. A shoulder injury in 2000 curtailed his career with the senior national team. “My proudest moment was winning the silver medal at the 1997 junior World Cup in Milton Keynes. It was India’s first medal in a junior World Cup. I was part of the landmark achievement in my maiden international tournament,” he said.

IOB gave him a job immediately upon his return from England. “I enjoyed every minute of my time with IOB. It is highly satisfying to have kept a place in the starting XI from my first match to the last,” he said.
IOB coach V.J. Philips, sports officer Aezaz Ahmed and manager M. Arif Ahmed said in one voice that the team would miss Senthil. “His experience was vital for us.

I haven’t seen a better penalty corner pusher in recent times,” Philips said. Aezaz still remembers the day Senthil joined IOB as a teenager. “It is not easy to maintain fitness and form for 15 years in a tough sport like hockey,” he added. Arif will never forget Senthil’s contribution to IOB. “He had always been a key player for us. Senthil’s accuracy in passing was unmatched. The versatile player also stood out with his carpet drive,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Sports University registrar J.P. Sukumar is a big fan of Senthil’s sharp mind. “I have been associated with hockey for more than three decades. If I were to select intelligent contemporary hockey players from Tamil Nadu, Senthil would be on top of the list,” he said.

Senthil is a native of Kovilpatti, a south Tamil Nadu town known for its passion for hockey.
“I grew up with the game. In my school days I never spent an evening without playing hockey. It was natural for every youngster in Kovilpatti to pick up a stick and head to the ground.

The interest may be dwindling now but the memories of how I learned the game will remain with me for ever,” he said.

The astute hockey star was overwhelmed by the farewell given by his teammates. “I couldn’t control myself after the guard of honour,” he said.

It was a bittersweet day for Senthil. He bade goodbye to something he loves so much. At the same time, he came to know how much his teammates valued him.