He began playing kabaddi to avoid studying, and gold medallist Naveen Kumar Goyat has no regrets about it because it has brought him popularity and financial security, particularly since the PKL was introduced.
Star India raider Goyat was born into a poor family in Bhaini Kungar hamlet in the Bhiwani district of Harayna. His father was a bus driver.
“My father is a (bus) driver. He is with his vehicle (Haryana Roadways bus) day and night. I wouldn’t meet him for days when I was a child. He comes home once in a week, that too at night and leaves early in the morning,” Goyat, who is playing for Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League season 12, told PTI in an interview.
“We did not have even our own house. We lived in another person’s house and that was a small place. But my father arranged everything for me. He would save money for my diet and will always indulge me by buying costly things for me.
“Whatever I am now currently is because of my father. He has always done a lot for me,” Goyat seemed a tad emotional.
In his early years, the 25-year-old star raider was more interested in sports than he was in studying.
“I chose kabaddi because it is the only sport played in my village. I was not good in studies. I thought I should play kabaddi to save myself from studies,” said Goyat who now has a BA degree from IGNOU Delhi.
“At that time, I did not even know what is Asian Games or Olympics. When I started playing in 2010, there was not even PKL. So, I did not know kabaddi players can make money. It was just that I started playing it to save from studies.”
PKL proved to be a turning point in Goyat’s life when Dabang Delhi picked him for Season 6 in 2018. He stayed with the franchise until 2025, till Haryana Steelers secured his services for Rs 1.2 crore at the May auction.
The PKL season 12 got underway in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
“In 2014, PKL came and people started getting money. Kabaddi is getting popular and PKL has played a big role in that. Kabaddi players from all over the world come here. We learn from them and they also learn from them.
“My financial condition has changed. It is much better now. We now have our own house and a car. Life has changed. It’s because of PKL, not for me only but for most of the players in the league.”
Known as ‘Naveen Express’ for his raids, Goyat played a significant role in the Indian team’s 2023 Asian Games victory over Pakistan in the quarterfinals and against Iran in a contentious final.
“When I started playing kabaddi, my goal was to play for the country and I have now realised that. I want to bring more laurels for the country and as well as my team in the PKL. As players, we have to give our best wherever we play, club or country.”
Currently serving in the Indian Air Force as a Junior Warrant Officer, Goyat has accrued 1102 raid points in the PKL, including 16 Super Raids and 66 Super 10s.
