Being tried as a midfielder in this competition, Kounain may have contributed only two goals but has set up many during Madhya Pradesh\u2019s campaign towards retaining the title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Besides being part of the last Khelo India Youth Games winning team, the 16-year-old has also been part of Madhya Pradesh side that brought home the Junior National Championship title after a gap of 40 years. His selection into the Junior India Camp\u2019s core group is perhaps the first step towards another Dad donning India colours. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOf course, I am happy. I want him to work hard and make it to the main squad. Now that depends on how much effort he puts in to get coveted jersey,\u201d said Sameer while responding to the question about the son making it to the core group. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hockey was natural choice for Kounain, who wanted to carry forward his father\u2019s legacy. \u201cI never forced him to take up hockey. He was six and I was still playing. He would return from school and I would be leaving for my training. He would forcefully tag along with me to the ground,\u201d said Sameer, who won the 1998 Asian Games gold in Kuala Lumpur and was part of the 2000 Sydney Olympics squad that narrowly missed out on the semi-final berth. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ask Kounain about his reasons for taking up hockey and the youngster asks what more choices did he have? \u201cWhen you are brought up in an environment where your father and uncle are playing for India and hockey is the dinner table talk, it is bound to generate interest. Although, I must clarify that he gave me the freedom to do what I wanted,\u201d he added. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
But having a coach who travels back to your house and has his eyes on you 24\/7 can be a little stressful at times as Kounain trains under his father at the Madhya Pradesh Men\u2019s Hockey Academy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am asked to maintain discipline. Eat on time, study on time, sleep on time and train on time as well. And to become a good player, you must follow a routine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cA small request from him would be just to follow the routine diligently. And I sometimes get scolded if I miss them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sameer is quite clear that being his son, Kounain has to work harder than the others. \u201cHe does not and should not expect special treatment just because he is my son. In fact, I somewhat am a little stricter towards him. At the academy, he is like any other player. At home, he\u2019s my shining star.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dr Habeeb Hasan, one of the academy coaches travelling with team to Chennai gives an outsider\u2019s account to the father-son bonhomie. \u201cI would say Kounain has to work harder than the rest of the player just to prove his merit. Sameer makes him toil harder just to prove his fairness. He is a good player and is displaying the traits of his father.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/dads-the-way-madhya-pradeshs-kounain-getting-ready-to-emulate-his-olympian-father-at-kiyg-2023.jpeg", "alt_img": "Dad\u2019s the way: Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Kounain getting ready to emulate his Olympian father at KIYG 2023", "alt_title": "Dad\u2019s the way: Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Kounain getting ready to emulate his Olympian father at KIYG 2023", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Dad\u2019s The Way: Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Kounain Getting Ready To Emulate His Olympian Father At KIYG 2023 On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Dad\u2019s The Way: Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Kounain Getting Ready To Emulate His Olympian Father At KIYG 2023, Khelo India Youth Games: Mohammed Kounain Dad is trying to fit into his father\u2019s shoes. As flamboyant as his father.", "seo_keywords": "Madhya Pradesh, Mohammed Kounain Dad, Olympian Sameer Dad, Khelo India Youth Games, Mayor Radhakrishnan, Junior National Championship, Junior India Camp, Asian Games, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney Olympics, Ask Kounain, Madhya Pradesh Men, Hockey Academy, Dr", "tag": "", "tagging": "Madhya Pradesh, Mohammed Kounain Dad, Olympian Sameer Dad, Khelo India Youth Games, Mayor Radhakrishnan, Junior National Championship, Junior India Camp, Asian Games, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney Olympics, Ask Kounain, Madhya Pradesh Men, Hockey Academy", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "dads-the-way-madhya-pradeshs-kounain-getting-ready-to-emulate-his-olympian-father-at-kiyg-2023", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "637", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-01-27 15:14:03", "updated": "2024-01-27 15:14:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Madhya Pradesh, Mohammed Kounain Dad, Olympian Sameer Dad, Khelo India Youth Games, Mayor Radhakrishnan, Junior National Championship, Junior India Camp, Asian Games, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney Olympics, Ask Kounain, Madhya Pradesh Men, Hockey Academy, Dr", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-27 15:14:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "others", "cnmid": "857829", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/dads-the-way-madhya-pradeshs-kounain-getting-ready-to-emulate-his-olympian-father-at-kiyg-2023-12647" }