From Patiala to Pune, Puneri Paltan’s Vikas Tomar keeping his kabaddi dream on track

Vikas Tomar

The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League has been a revolution and has got the game of our soil its rightful place in every household of the nation. Be a sports buff or not, very few has been able to escape from the thrill and drama of the sport.

The biggest achievement of the league has been that it has been able to give the practitioners of this enthralling sport their due share of the limelight. The League has thrown up some really wonderful stories which have left many awestruck.

Puneri Paltan is a team full of young guns, who are relishing the occasion with big dreams in their hearts. Many of these youngsters may not have featured regularly on the pitch, but are rest assured to take home something special from their excursion in the franchise-based league.

Puneri Paltan’s 21-year-old defender, Vikas Tomar was an unknown quantity to the world until he lately featured for the Puneri Paltan in the game against U-Mumba. Howering on the firnges of the Puneri Paltan set-up, Vikas nurtures a dream to one day play for India and win the Asian games.

“I want to play for India one day and win a Gold medal at the Asian Championship like my idol Sanjay Baliyan. That’s my dream and I am determined to make it a reality,” said Vikas.

Vikas idolized Sanjay baliyan, a former Indian kabaddi captain and a two-time Asian Games Gold Medal winner as he took his baby steps in the north Indian town of Meerut under the watchful guidance of his father Dharmendar Tomar, who was also his first coach.

“I would have continued to work if not for kabaddi”

Every dream comes at a cost and Vikas nearly paid for keeping one when he suffered a ligament injury in 2007, which nearly shattered his dreams. But, Vikas isn’t someone who was going to throw in the towel and with great support from his family, Vikas got back on the kabaddi court and now finds himself in the Puneri Paltan camp.

Vikas always gave lot of importance to his studies and earned himself a job in Railways in Patiala before he pounced on a chance to chase his dreams in Pune. The man from Meerut, though, would have continued to do his bit in the Railways had the Puneri Paltan not come calling.

“I used to work in the Railways in Patiala and I was fairly happy with it. I come from middle class family where education is of utmost importance and hence I would have continued to work and study had it not been for kabaddi. But, I love the game and I have always enjoyed great support from my family to develop that part of my skill,” said the 21-year-old defender.

In the Puneri Paltan camp, Vikas has found a great friend in Sanjay Kumar and is enjoying his time with the Paltan.

“This is a dream come true for me. It’s a great pleasure to play with such senior players who have played for India. I get to learn a lot from them and they tell me that one day I, too, will become like them and play for the country. Its highly encouraging and I am thankful to Puneri Paltan for giving me a chance to play in Pro Kabaddi.”

Vikas’s journey from the platform of Patiala to the arena of Pune has been a life changing one. It has helped him keep his dreams on track.