India, Dec. 13 -- A cherished inheritance, a platform to fetch a job or quite simply a leap of faith - every member of India's World Cup bronze-winning junior men's hockey team has a different take to offer on what the sport means to them. But what binds this under-21 bunch together is the dream of an Olympic medal for the country.

And that ambition has grown manifold after they fought their way to a podium finish at the World Cup ending India's nine-year wait for a medal at the showpiece. In the process, they assured hockey watchers that the inevitable and upcoming transition period in the senior team would not be as turbulent as is being anticipated.

Every player comes from a different world and is shaped by adversity which is unique ...