Channarayapatna Hockey Goalkeeper Mohit H.S. Brings Glory to Taluk with Selection for Indian World Cup Squad

Mohit H.S., a promising young athlete from H. Honnenahalli village in Hirisave hobli of Channarayapatna taluk, has brought immense pride to Hassan district following his selection as goalkeeper for the Indian national men's hockey team for the 2026 FIH World Cup. Local legislator C.N. Balakrishna lauded the international player's achievements, noting that his remarkable journey from a rural village to the top tier of international sports serves as an inspiration for youth across the region. Mohit previously made significant contributions to Indian hockey during the 2022 and 2023 Sultan of Johor Cup tournaments in Malaysia, where his key saves in the final against Australia earned him the Player of the Match title along with a gold medal. He also stood out in the 2023 Junior Asia Cup victory against Pakistan, securing the Best Goalkeeper of the Year award, before representing the Punjab franchise in the Hockey India League across 2024 and 2025. During a felicitatory address, MLA C.N. Balakrishna urged both the state and central governments to strengthen sports infrastructure and upgrade rural sports hostels, ensuring talented athletes from rural areas receive proper training and facilities. Expressing heartfelt pride, Mohit's father, Shashikumar, emphasized that providing children with moral values, quality education, and athletic encouragement enables them to become true national assets.