Mohammad Affan Yousuf, is one of the modern day revelations and a promise of brighter future that the Indian Hockey fraternity makes to the followers of the game. Affan Yousuf is a forward player and his pace and control over the ball looks eye pleasing.
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Affan Yousuf Info
- Date of Birth: 26-12-1994.
- Native Place: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Position: Forward.
- Teams: Hockey India, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Bhopal Badshahs, Air India, Indian Oil, Central Railways.
- Nick Name: Chotu.
Childhood Photo of Affan Yousuf.
Hailing from a family of Sports persons, Affan Yousuf is a perfect of example how grooming a player properly would enrich him with confidence. Affan Yousuf’s grandpa Khudu Dad, father Mohammad Yousuf and his brother Imran have a close relationship with Hockey and even more his uncle Sameer Dad has played with Affan for a major share of time in the domestic circuits.
Breaking into the Indian team:
Affan Yousuf broke into the spotlight after winning the ‘Player of the tournament’ in the 3rd Hockey India Senior Men’s Nationals held at Pune in 2013 where he netted twice in the final to lead Air India to victory. He was rewarded with a place in the Sultan of Johor Cup team that went on to win the tournament defeating Malaysia in the finals.
Affan Yousuf was then promoted as the Vice-Captain of the young Senior team that went on to play the Asian Champions Trophy at Japan but surprisingly was not selected for the Hero Junior Hockey World Cup in Delhi later in the year.
Turning Points:
Mohammad Affan Yousuf faced bigger tests off the court than on the court as his mother, Sajida Yousuf got diagnosed with Stomach Cancer when he was at the stage of establishing himself. Affan has admitted in an interview to Mid-Day that he felt like leaving the game and just be there beside his mother during the tough times but his family instructed him to not lose the focus on the game. It was a test of mental strength and Affan Yousuf has passed it.
When he was dropped out of the Junior World Cup from being a Vice-captain, he displayed maturity by not losing heart thinking what he failed to do and backed himself to prepare much better for the upcoming events in future.
Affan Yousuf in Jaypee Punjab Warriors Colours.
Photo by: Hockey India
2014
Affan Yousuf got a chance to share the stage along the greats of Sandeep Singh, Jamie Dwyer and Jaap Stockmann being a part of the Jaypee Punjab Warriors set up that finished as the runners-up of the Hero Hockey India League. Affan Yousuf received lot of praise for his consistent performances and keeping the defenders on their toes.