Twenty-eight years after Pritam Siwach represented India at the 1998 Women’s Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands, her son Yashdeep Siwach is carrying the family legacy at the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in the same country.
According to a report by ETV Bharat, the achievement makes Pritam and Yashdeep the first known mother-son pair in Indian hockey to compete at a World Cup. Their family’s connection to the tournament, however, goes beyond Yashdeep.
Four players trained at the Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy in Sonipat- defender Jyoti, midfielders Neha Goyal and Shilpi Dabas, and teenage forward Sakshi Rana- are also part of India’s women’s squad.
That means five players associated with the Sonipat academy are representing India at the World Cup, jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, as reported by ETV Bharat.
Hockey has been deeply rooted in the Siwach family. Pritam’s husband, Kuldeep, was also a hockey player and captained his team. After retiring from competitive hockey, the couple established the Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy in Sonipat, with the aim of giving young players, particularly girls, opportunities to pursue the sport, ETV Bharat has reported.
The academy’s early years were challenging.
“When we started the academy, nobody was willing to come here. Today, around 150 girls are training in hockey at the academy. What makes me happiest is that four girls who trained on this ground are now playing in the World Cup,” Pritam recalled, as quoted by ETV Bharat.
Pritam also wanted her children to develop a connection with sport. Yashdeep gradually followed in her footsteps after accompanying her to the academy as a child.
“I played hockey myself and wanted my children to be associated with sport too. When Yashdeep was in school, he enthusiastically participated in every sporting activity. He began accompanying me to the ground in the evenings. At first, he would simply watch the practice sessions. Gradually, he picked up a hockey stick and stepped onto the field. Before long, hockey was no longer merely a game for him; it had become his passion,” said Pritam with a sense of satisfaction, ETV Bharat has quoted.
Her connection with Yashdeep’s hockey journey began even before he was born. Pritam continued visiting the ground and practising during her pregnancy.
“I never wanted to be away from hockey so I continued coming to the ground and practising till my delivery. People say a child begins learning in the mother’s womb. Yashdeep grew up watching and learning hockey, and it eventually became his passion too,” she said, as quoted by ETV Bharat.
Reflecting on her son’s World Cup appearance, Pritam said, “I am proud of Yashdeep as much as the four girls from this ground who are are also competing at the tournament,” as quoted by ETV Bharat.
Kuldeep, who works with the Railways, continues to support the academy and its young players whenever he can.
“I come here whenever I have time,” he said, with a smile.
The proud father also spoke about the importance of encouraging children to pursue sport alongside academics.
“My son is playing in the World Cup. Children should be encouraged to excel in sport along with their studies. Sport teaches discipline, hard work and the courage to rise again after a defeat,” he stated assertively, ETV Bharat has quoted.
For Kuldeep, however, Pritam’s contribution extends far beyond her own playing career and their son’s achievements.
“My wife made the hockey ground an inseparable part of her life. Now, through the academy, she is creating a path for a new generation of players,” Kuldeep said, as ETV Bharat has quoted.
Today, the Sonipat academy tells a story that goes beyond one family. From struggling to attract young players in its early days, it has grown into a training ground for nearly 150 girls and has produced players now competing on hockey’s biggest stage.
For the Siwachs, the World Cup represents not an end but another milestone in a journey that began decades ago. Their dream remains to see players trained on their Sonipat ground return home with a medal for India, as quoted by ETV Bharat.