From Park Skates to National Glory
By Jairaj Chhetry
Every champion’s story begins quietly. Not in a stadium filled with cheers, not under bright lights, but in small, unnoticed moments. For Sourya, it began in a park in Delhi during a summer vacation.
He was just a little boy visiting his aunt when he saw a group of children skating. Something about the speed, the rhythm, the freedom of movement caught his imagination. He did not know then that this simple curiosity would shape his life. He only knew he wanted to try.
Back in Guwahati, the interest did not fade. Encouraged by a coach in Delhi who told him never to stop skating, Sourya’s mother searched for a skating rink. That search led them to the Dispur Skating Rink and to Coach B. A. Kargil — a former senior Indian team player who had represented India in the World Cup. Under his guidance, Sourya was introduced to Roll Ball.
At first, like many young players, he wanted to be a striker. Scoring goals looked glamorous. But his coach saw something different in him. With patience and vision, Coach Kargil groomed him into a goalkeeper. It was not an easy shift, but Sourya trusted his mentor completely. “He knew what was best for me,” Sourya says. That trust became the foundation of his growth.
Mourya Das, son of Minakshi Chhetry and Rupamjeet Marak and grand son of Late Dr. Prabhat K. Das and Dr Ardina Marak from Tura ,Meghalaya , has brought pride to the region by captaining the Assam boys’ team to victory at the 15th Mini National Roll Ball Tournament held at Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, on February 24, 2026.
Discipline Beyond His Years: Born on May 10, 2015, Sourya may be young in age, but his commitment reflects maturity far beyond his years. His day is structured around discipline. Two hours of practice daily, seven days a week. Before major tournaments, that stretches to four or five hours.
Balancing studies at Gurukul Grammar Senior Secondary School, Guwahati, with sports is no small task. But his parents manage his schedule carefully. There are sacrifices — family holidays missed, birthday parties skipped, festivals observed differently. Yet not once has he complained.
There are moments of exhaustion. There are days when his body feels tired. But passion keeps him going. “I just want to become better,” he says simply.
The Captain Who Stayed Calm: The 15th Mini National Roll Ball Tournament in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, will always remain special. It was not just another tournament. It was redemption. The Assam Under-11 boys entered the championship determined. In the league stage, they dominated: RSSA (4–0), Karnataka (15–0), Andhra Pradesh (7–1), Telangana (15–1). In the quarterfinal, Rajasthan fell 8–1. In the semifinal, Kerala was blanked 6–0.
Unbeaten. Confident. Focused.
But the final against hosts Tamil Nadu was a different story. The match ended 5–5 in regulation time. The tension was unbearable. The stadium roared with home support for Tamil Nadu. For Sourya, who had been unexpectedly selected as captain, the responsibility felt heavy.
Before the match, nerves had crept in. He called his coach in Guwahati. A few words of reassurance were enough to steady him. “It was do or die,” he recalls. “We did not want to lose like last year.”
In extra time, when Tamil Nadu missed two crucial penalty shots, Assam seized the opportunity.
The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading 7–5. Assam were champions.
For Sourya, it was not just a win. It was validation — of hard work, belief, and resilience. From last year’s runner-up silver in Guwahati to this year’s gold in Tamil Nadu, the journey had come full circle.
Beyond the Borders: His growth has not been limited to national tournaments. Representing India in the Under-11 Tri-Series in Sri Lanka broadened his horizon. Playing internationally, experiencing better facilities, meeting new players — it shaped his thinking. “It helped me see bigger dreams,” he says.
And dreams he certainly has.
His ultimate goal is clear: to represent the senior Indian team in the World Cup one day.
Medals, But More Than Medals:Statistics tell one part of the story: 19 medals — 9 Gold, 8 Silver, 2 Bronze. Best Goalkeeper twice in Inter-District tournaments. Inter Academy Championship winner. Five felicitation honours by the Assam Roll Ball Association. But numbers do not capture character. At home, his parents have ensured discipline remains constant. Despite success, humility is non-negotiable. “Respect everyone,” he has been taught since day one.
Financial challenges exist. Goalkeeping equipment is expensive. Travel costs demand adjustments. His parents cut down on daily expenses to support his dream. They never allowed hardship to become an excuse. When he captained Assam to victory, they felt both nervous and overwhelmed. Pride came later. First came relief.
More Than a Player: What makes Sourya’s story powerful is not just victory — it is perseverance. It is a young boy choosing practice over playtime, discipline over distraction, and courage over fear.
In an era where many children are drawn to gadgets, his parents initially enrolled him in sports simply to keep him engaged. They did not know they were nurturing a national champion.
Sourya’s message to young boys and girls from Meghalaya and beyond is simple: “Dream big and work hard with dedication.”
There is no dramatic speech. No arrogance. Just sincerity. And perhaps that is what makes him special. From a curious child skating in a Delhi park to a national champion lifting the trophy in Tamil Nadu, Sourya’s journey reminds us that greatness is not born overnight. It is built — hour by hour, sacrifice by sacrifice, belief by belief.
This is just the beginning. The future is waiting. But perhaps the most inspiring part of his journey is this — he is still only at the starting line. The medals he has won are milestones, not destinations. The discipline he has learned will shape him far beyond the rink. The courage he has shown at such a young age will carry him through bigger arenas, tougher matches, and greater responsibilities.
One day, when he stands wearing the senior India jersey, representing the nation on the world stage, the story will not begin there. It will still begin in that quiet park in Delhi — where a little boy saw others skate and decided to chase a dream.
And that dream is only getting stronger.
