At 25, Indian Army goalkeeper Senthamizh Arasu has not given up on his dream of playing for the senior Indian hockey team. The native of Arcot town in Vellore, who won bronze with the Junior India team at the 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup, is still waiting for an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

“I keep playing, trying to give my best at all National-level tournaments. I’m waiting, working hard and practising every day,” he said on the sidelines of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Friday.

“I am ready for the opportunity whenever it comes. Even an opportunity for the National team trials would do. I’m only 25, I still have a lot to do.”

Arasu, whose heroics in the penalty shootout against Karnataka helped Tamil Nadu win bronze at the 2023 senior Nationals, said he learnt a great deal from former Ireland goalkeeper David Harte at the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons camp in HIL.

“I have watched David Harte since childhood, and learnt a lot from him in HIL. He taught me about quick reactions and, more importantly, the mindset. When we concede a goal, we sometimes dwell on it. He taught me that the team keeps playing and we must be ready for the next ball,” he said.

A regular at the Murugappa tournament, Arasu is determined to overcome a familiar stumbling block.

“We have lost in the semifinals for three consecutive years. This is my fourth season, and we will see what happens this time. We are ready,” he said, hoping the tournament would bring him closer to his long-cherished India dream.