Pratik Waikar Exclusive: India's Kho Kho Star speaks on MS Dhoni, Struggle, Proudest Moments and More

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Kho Kho is a game of speed. Players run past opponents, show trickery to beat them and their ultimate aim is to not get tagged. In recent years, some indigenous sports have taken centre stage, and Kho Kho is thriving to be one of them with the franchise tournament Ultimate Kho Kho.

And in the UKK, one of the star players have been Pratik Waikar. The Maharashtra-born player is a veteran in the sport and has won several accolades for India in his career. Waikar, who has an MBA degree, has been excellent for Telugu Yoddhas in the UKK Season 2.

Waikar has won several trophies for India, 8 Medals at Senior National which includes 2 Gold and 6 Silvers. 6 Gold medals in Federation Cup National, Gold in Junior National and 2 Bronze Medals in Sub-Junior National. He is the only player from Maharashtra who led the team in all three age groups (U14, U18, Senior). He was also adjudged the player of the year thrice in a row.

MyKhel had a chance to talk exclusively with the player recently, where he opened up on his struggles and gave a detailed account of his emergence. Here is an exact transcript from the interview-

When did you start playing and how were you introduced to the game of Kho Kho?

I started playing Kho Kho at a tender age, around 9 or 10 years. Kho Kho was quite popular in our school. We used to play Langri first, but then changed to Kho Kho. I joined a Pune club named Nav Maharashtra Sangh and it all started from there.

When did you decide to pursue your career in Kho Kho?

I played U-14 state in 2003 and subsequently got into the nationals the next year. I didn't have a plan to pursue Kho Kho as a professional as I was continuing my academics. But then I became the captain of Maharashtra and got a state government job, which made me involved more in the sport.

What is the general infrastructure for Kho Kho in India? What are the things required to take it to the next level?

The infrastructure is not much required for Kho Kho. You only need red soil and two poles. So far it's decent but if we have to move forward, we will have to provide mats. We practice on ground and then play the competitions on the mat. If mat is introduced at club level, it will be a major boost.

You have an MBA degree in Finance. How did you balance both sides of your career?

I always had a focus on my studies because I was a good student, and my mother's wish was also the same. I managed it well and focused on both things. After the job, my focus was completely on the degrees as I wanted to do it for my mom and myself.

Your financial constraint was a challenge but how did you overcome that? What will be your message to the future generation?

You have to take care of your fitness and have a healthy diet to be at the peak. When I started at first, I used to sell things to raise money for my Kho Kho dream. I used to spend it on food and gym sessions. My advice to anyone with financial constraints will be the same, 'keep working and keep playing Kho Kho'.

You won a Gold Medal in the SAFF games, tell us a bit about that tournament.

In 2016, I was one of the three Maharashtra players to get selected for the national team for the SAFF games. I was excited and we performed well. It was an honour for me to play for India, as it was a privilege and a proud moment to win the Gold medal for India.

What is your favourite book and why?

I read the Chhatrapati Sivaji Biography and Bhagavad Gita mostly. Bhagavad Gita gives me a way to come out of my troubles.

Do you support any football club?

I support FC Barcelona for Lionel Messi.

Telugu Yoddhas, talk a bit about your franchise and how things have been this season.

It is a massive franchise as GMR sports have a lot of teams across many sports. I was excited to play for such a massive franchise. It is a great feeling to play for them as they provide all the facilities, and priorities to us. I am very happy to be associated with a franchise like Telugu Yoddhas.

Virat Kohli and Lionel Messi are your favourite athletes- what have you learnt from them?

Add MS Dhoni as well as my role model. Virat Kohli, Lionel Messi and MS Dhoni - I admire the trio as they give priority to the team rather than individual records. If you lose the final, even if you are a star, you are defeated. They want to win the title rather than win personal accolades, and I like that a lot.

Why Maharashtra has become the hub of some top Kho Kho Players?

Maharashtra has a lot of clubs who play Kho Kho. You go anywhere, you will see clubs as Kho Kho thrives for these grassroots clubs. There is a massive popularity of club tournaments as well. Tournaments give opportunities to showcase skills and increase competition, which in turn helps an individual to build himself. I think clubs in Maharashtra are the soul of Kho Kho's emergence in the state, and that is the reason top Indian players belong to Maharashtra.