From Seraikela to the National Stage: Binsen Kisku’s Journey as a Goalkeeper in Indian Hockey
At the age of 8, Binsen Kisku would spend hours dribbling a football across the green fields of Seraikela, Jharkhand. Sport, for him, was just playtime, he had no thought of becoming an athlete. But those early days unknowingly shaped his instincts for a very different game.
In 2016, when hockey trials were held at his school, Binsen decided to give it a try. With no prior experience in hockey and borrowing a kit for the trial, he stepped onto the field, unsure but curious. That choice marked the beginning of a journey that would lead him far beyond his village.
A year later, Binsen was selected for the first batch of the National Tata Hockey Academy. Under the guidance of coach Daniel Harren and international coach Warner, his training as a goalkeeper began in earnest. Transitioning from football to hockey wasn’t easy; it required patience, discipline, and an unshaken belief in the process.
Binsen’s steady progress soon reflected in his achievements. He won a Bronze medal in the 2019 Sub-Junior Nationals as part of the Jharkhand team, another Bronze in the 2020 Junior Nehru Hockey Tournament, and a Gold in the 2nd Academy Nationals in 2021. He also represented Jharkhand at Khelo India (2020, 2022), competed in the 30th National Games, and participated in the 14th Senior National Championship in 2025.
But Binsen’s story goes beyond medals. From playing football barefoot in village grounds to training with professional kits, his life has been one of gradual transformation. He has moved from being a schoolboy with no roadmap for sports as a career to setting his sights on the Hockey India League and pursuing coaching certifications. Alongside his training, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, building a future that holds more possibilities than he had imagined as a child.
His journey has begun to inspire others. Friends now attempt hockey trials after seeing his progress, and a community once unfamiliar with national-level sports is beginning to believe in it. Currently preparing for the AHF-1 officiating course in hockey, Binsen hopes to secure a place in senior national teams. Long-term, he dreams of playing in the Hockey India League and eventually becoming a coach, sharing what he has learned with the next generation.
“Try. Even if you don’t know the game, try. That’s what I did,” he says simply. His story reflects how early opportunities, consistent coaching, and determination can change what once felt out of reach. From a borrowed kit at a school trial to representing Jharkhand on national platforms, Binsen’s journey stands as a reminder that one step, taken with intent, can open doors for many others to follow.