Belgian duo Alexander Hendrickx, Arthur Van Doren sets eyes on Hockey India League

Belgium's Arthur van Doren and Alexander Hendricxx aim to add the Hockey India League title to their impressive trophy cabinet.

They got together playing for the national youth side, got into the Belgium team at the same time and have been around for more than decade. It’s no surprise that Arthur van Doren and Alexander Hendrickx can complete each other’s sentences as smoothly as they exchange the ball on field, manning the Belgian defence.

The understanding and comfort they share has played a big role in Belgium’s dominance in world hockey over years and now, as teammates at Vedanta Kalinga Lancers at the Hockey India League (HIL), the duo is keen to add the league title to an already full trophy cabinet.

“The HIL,” they laugh in unison when asked if there is anything that’s still missing. “At this point, I think we have been lucky to win all tournaments in international hockey once. Obviously, we would love to win them again but I was here in 2017 (with UP Wizards) so it would be good to win this too,” Van Doren told The Hindu.

Hendrickx, coming for the first time, agreed. “From the stories I have heard. it’s amazing and we are curious and anxious to start and hopefully go back with the title. It will be good to have the crowd cheering for us for a change because when we play for Belgium, the crowd is cheering for attacks on us. Internationally, we would love to win again, with another generation. We are as hungry as the young guys even though we have won it all once,” he laughed.

They believe the previous edition of HIL played a big role in its success with the new edition doing the same. “If you look at all the Mandeeps and Harmanpreets, they were young kids of 16-17 when the HIL started and they burst on the scene and are big time players now. I think India have made a nice progression over the years and similar to back home, they have been working hard to create a programme that goes beyond the 18 that play the big tournament.

“That’s why Odisha is probably one of the leading places for Indian hockey — they push for an environment like this, the facilities and the push for kids from a young age. The reason the stars now are so good is because they got good facilities and trainers early. Success is always a long road, the HIL played an important role and it can only benefit the next generation now,” they insist.

The two are part of Belgium’s golden generation that has won everything possible – World Cup, Olympics, European Championships – and has more than one medal everywhere. But after almost 12 years with the same core group, Belgium is going through a generational shift and both agree it is only natural.