Dhanraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay (born 16 July 1968 in Pune) is an Indian field hockey player and former captain of the Indian hockey team. He is currently the manager of the Indian hockey team. Also he is a member of the ad hoc committee of Indian Hockey Federation, formed after the suspension of Kanwar Pal Singh Gill.
Personal life
Dhanraj Pillay was born at Khadki near Pune in Maharashtra. He is the fourth son of Tamil parents Nagalingam Pillay and Andalamma. As a bachelor, he lived in Powai, Mumbai, while his parents continued to live in Khadki. He is fluent in Tamil ( his Mother tongue), Hindi, English and Marathi.
Early life
Pillay spent his youth in the Ordnance Factory staff colony where his father was a groundsman. Playing on the soft, muddy surface of the OFK ground with his brothers and friends from the colony, he learnt his skills with broken sticks and discarded hockey balls, imitating the style of legendary forward and idol, Mohammed Shahid. His mother, whom he gives all the credit for his success, encouraged all her five sons to play hockey despite leading a hand-to-mouth existence.