Lifestyle /
India’s Junior Girls Hockey Victory Celebrations Won’t Last Long!
India's Junior Girls Hockey team made history when they brought the bronze medal home last month from the seventh FIH Junior World Cup that took place in Germany.
The Indian women's national field hockey team is the national women's team representing India in Field Hockey. Captain Suraj Lata Devi led the team to the Gold for three consecutive years: during the 2002 Commonwealth Games (the event which inspired the 2007Bollywood hit film, Chak De India), the 2003 Afro-Asian Games, and the 2004 Hockey Asia Cup.
Unfortunately, for a long time the team did not win any championships on foreign land. After a gap of nearly a decade, India's Junior Girls Hockey Team brought the Bronze medal home.
The Indian team took onlookers by surprise when they worked their way up the rankings in some nail-biting games against some of the strongest teams in the tournament. In an intense semi-final game against England, the girls were in a deadlock through most of the game, tied at 1-1 and it came down to penalty shots. The two teams had ended 1-1 after regulation time. Navneet Kaur’s strike handed India a 3-2 lead in the shoot out and when Anna Toman missed the following shot, it secured India’s win.
Winning the historic bronze medal in the junior hockey World Cup might have brought the Indian girls in the limelight, but the players know these celebrations won't last long.
Indian Junior women hockey team players celebrate after winning bronze medal at Junior World Cup (Women) in Monchengladbach, Germany on Sunday. India beat England 3-2 via penalty shootout after the regulation time of 70 minutes ended at 1-1./PTI
For those who have never made it to even qualifying for Olympics consider this victory to be great one throughout their career also making it worthy enough like they have won World Cup.
Vice Captain, Rani Rampal who took the first stroke in the shoot-out and scored straight away. Top scorer and heart of the team, Rani, voiced her excitement about the win, mentioning that it is a huge boost to the sport in India for youth, for young women and that it can open doors to the Olympics in the future. Team work and determination were at the core of this win, making it one of the most inspiring wins ever in young women's sports.
Post win the only thing that has changed is that Rani has graduated from a bicycle to a scooty. "I used to go for training on a bicycle. But a back problem meant I could not ride it anymore. That's when I was forced to buy a scooty," she told TOI.
Left to fund for herself despite her glowing achievements, Rani is now looking up to the Haryana government for assistance. "I am thinking of changing my job. A job in the Haryana government will make life easier," she said.
Rani's father Ramphal too rued that there was not much support coming the way of her daughter who's considered one of the best strikers in the country. "I think more should be done for her as she has a bright future," said her father who still pulls a cart for a living.
Rani has two brothers. One of them is a carpenter while the other is employed in a workshop.
India has been recognized for its success with the men's and women's field hockey team with a number of golds under their belts but this is one of the first for the junior divisions. The junior women's team hadn't made it to the quarter finals before yet alone walking away with medals.
Navneet Kaur, the girl who scored the winning goal in India's bronze medal match against England in the junior World Cup. The 17-year-old, one of the youngest in the squad, has had to rely on her family so far for her requirements. Like so many other athletes, Navneet's family too is struggling to support her. "I am small-time AC mechanic.
It's very difficult to fulfill all her requirements. I remember when she first expressed her interest in playing hockey I asked her several times whether she was serious about it. Buying sticks and shoes is an expensive affair," her father Buta Singh told TOI. "It's difficult. She has no job and no sponsors. Even today she has to cover a distance of about two kilometers on foot to attend training in Shahabad."
Hockey India secretary Narendra Batra announced that the entire team and coach will be rewarded with Rs 1 lakh each, while the support staff will get Rs 50,000 each.
Feature &other Images:PTI
Sources: www.dna.com, www.ibn.com, www.ndtv.com,
Geeta Wahab
Author
Cultivating a life she loves, Geeta (@geets.suites) is chasing all her passions, including her love for home décor. As a brand new home owner, her current journey has launched her further into that world - check out her Instagram @geets.suites for tidbits of her story and other decorating pieces. A...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
