Belgium’s hockey legend Tom Boon didn’t mince words when asked about the Indian team’s recent performance in the FIH Pro League Europe leg. The veteran striker, who faced the Indians during the tour, felt that the team led by Harmanpreet Singh lacked rhythm and suffered from the demands of a tight, overseas schedule.
I haven’t seen a lot of India this year, to be honest... So it’s difficult to give a concrete opinion. But from what I observed, they struggled to find their rhythm against strong opposition. Maybe being away from home for long made it difficult to stay sharp.
The statement comes at a time when Indian hockey is facing a transition — especially in goalkeeping, with PR Sreejesh having retired after the Paris Olympics.
‘Sreejesh Was Great, But One Player Doesn’t Define a Team’
India’s new No.1, Krishan Pathak, has yet to hit the same heights, and doubts remain whether he can fill the legendary Sreejesh’s boots. But Boon had a pragmatic take.
Sreejesh had an incredible career. He was a really good goalie. But I also believe everyone is replaceable. You have other good goalies who just need to step up. Maybe they didn’t perform how they had to, but one player doesn’t change the mindset of a whole team.
Missed Chance in India’s HIL Comeback
Indian fans were excited about Tom Boon lighting up the revived Hockey India League (HIL) this January. Bought by Team Gonasika for ₹26 lakh, the 35-year-old was a marquee attraction. But personal commitments forced a late withdrawal.
“It was a tough decision,” Boon revealed. “My son was turning three, my wife was working and still studying… I couldn’t be away from home for that long.”
Still Leading the Red Lions – And Loving It
Age might have ended many elite sporting careers, but Boon is far from done. He scored a chart-topping 21 goals in the recent Pro League season, proving that experience and hunger can still overpower younger legs.
For the first time, I played almost all the games – 15 out of 16. When you feel fit in your mind and body, it doesn’t matter if you're 25 or 35. At 25, I struggled more with injuries and mental wellness than I do now.
Boon, along with fellow 30-somethings Nicolas de Kerpel, Alexander Hendrickx and Arthur van Doren, will spearhead Belgium’s EuroHockey Championship challenge in Mönchengladbach from August 8 to 17.
Not a Mentor, Just One of the Boys
He doesn’t see himself as a mentor but as a peer who shares freely.
“I have a nice role, especially among the strikers. I talk to the young guys a lot – not to teach them, but to give my impressions and help where I can,” Boon said. “I don’t feel above them at all.”
No Sunset Yet: World Cup & LA 2028 Still on Radar
With a World Cup title (2018) and Olympic gold (2021) already in the cabinet, Boon remains ambitious. Retirement isn’t even in his thoughts.
I hope to go beyond the 2026 World Cup. I still dream of playing in LA 2028.
And once that chapter closes, the Tom Boon Hockey Camps (TBHC), which turned 10 this year, will take over.
“It’s my way of giving back to hockey. I love it – it made me the first fully professional hockey player in Belgium,” Boon said proudly.
The camps have already helped nurture players like current Belgian squad member Lucas Balthazar – a sign that Boon’s impact will endure well beyond the field.
