Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 8 (ANI): On the event of International Women’s Day, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s star gamers heaped reward on a few of the new initiatives by Hockey India hailing it ‘the precise time to pursue hockey’.
The group captain, ace goalkeeper Savita places issues in perspective and mentioned, “When we began playing hockey, there were so many uncertainties. There was not enough support for women’s hockey or for that matter for women taking up the sport itself. But now so much has changed with the Federation announcing new initiatives right from the domestic circuit where recognition is guaranteed and automatically players get called up for jobs with a good show in the National Championships.”Savita additional added that the latest announcement by Hockey India to introduce Inter Zonal Tournaments might be a ‘recreation changer’ for the game.
“There are so many talented players and if I have to talk about my home state Haryana, there are plenty of aspiring hockey players but not all of them get a chance to represent the state because the competition is tough to make the team but with the introduction of Intra Zonal tournaments, more kids may get a chance to play for the state which is a big honour. I believe this is the right time for young women to choose hockey as a career,” opined the goalie who led the Indian Team to a historic Bronze Medal within the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Reflecting on Savita’s ideas, charismatic ahead Navneet Kaur mentioned, “I wish all the wonderful women especially those involved in sports as athletes or as administrators a very Happy Women’s Day. Today, with many initiatives by Government through Khelo India and Hockey India introducing more domestic tournaments, which is being held on par with international standards, there is more scope for players to showcase their talent and make it big in the sport. As cliche as it may sound, dreams do come true and we must just work towards it.”Vandana Katariya, Padma Shri Awardee and one of the vital skilled forwards within the group with over 250 worldwide caps, additionally expressed that ladies’s hockey is transferring in the precise path.
“It brings me great joy to see the number of talented young players coming up and pushing for a place in the national program. This goes to show that our recent achievements and the recognition that followed has encouraged more young women to take up hockey. With all that’s being done for the sport in the country, I feel like an Olympic Medal is not a distant dream anymore. We are steadily marching towards more success,” expressed an optimistic Vandana.
The Indian Women’s Team has been on an uphill climb within the present Olympic cycle. A historic fourth-place end on the Tokyo Olympic Games has instilled confidence within the group for larger glory.
They received the Bronze Medal within the Birmingham Commonwealth Games final yr, adopted by a giant win in opposition to Spain to elevate the maiden FIH Women’s Nations Cup that has earned them a spot within the subsequent season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
They additionally managed a third-place end within the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-2022 in solely their first look within the prestigious league.
The Indian Team is presently based mostly in SAI Centre, Bengaluru getting ready for the Asian Games in September. (ANI)