By Sonu VivekBengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 17 (ANI): Savita Punia, India ladies’s hockey goalkeeper, cited the transformation of the participant’s mindset as the explanation for the revival of Indian hockey in current occasions because the crew prepares for FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup.
“Lots of things have changed over the years. Talking about our team, our mindset has been the most significant difference. We play with a positive attitude and compete not only to participate but we have our goals to accomplish. We evaluate our performances to get better,” Punia, who’s FIH goalkeeper of 2022, informed ANI in an unique interview.
The stand-in captain opened up in regards to the turnaround of Indian hockey previously few years and talked in regards to the main shift that has taken place, serving to Indian hockey regain a few of its outdated glory.
Punia additionally talked about the health requirements which have improved drastically through the years, which assist the gamers in delivering in demanding conditions.
“Fitness has been a very major reason for the change helping players not give up in dire situations. Sports bodies have really taken care of us and invested in hockey. Hockey India and SAI have been helping us with exposure,” Punia mentioned.
“Awareness about diet and one’s own personal physical fitness shortcomings. Players even take time out on their offs to practice, especially the young players. They know if their fitness is up to the mark only then they will make it to the team,” she added.
The goalkeeper heaped reward on the crew’s coach Sjoerd Marijne and hoped that there might be extra optimistic modifications with time.
“Our coach also has high expectations and makes us do the hard yards. Competition is there. No sudden change. We have spent 1.5 years with the coach and will get more results with her in future,” the star hockey participant mentioned.
Punia talked in regards to the significance of the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup which might assure the crew a spot within the second season of the FIH Pro League.
“The Nations Cup is very important for us as it does guarantee us a place in the second season of the FIH Pro League. Playing in the last season of the Pro League helped us prepare for Commonwealth, hence important from that perspective. It gives us chance to play top teams and prepare for the 2024 Olympics. Playing top teams bonds the players in the team and helps in improving our performance,” the 32-year-old participant mentioned.
“Our preparation has been going on really well. The camps after the commonwealth games and the national games both took place with an eye on the Nations Cup,” she added.
Ace Indian Hockey goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Savita Punia had been awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year on the FIH Star Awards 2021-2022 for his or her excellent efficiency in vital occasions just like the Tokyo Olympic Games, and FIH Hockey Pro League amongst others.
Sharing her happiness about receiving the award together with veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh, she mentioned, “It definitely feels good to get the award and especially to be in the same league as Shreejesh. He is a senior to me and there was a time when I used to watch him play and think about the things that I wanted to learn from him. To get an award with him is a very good feeling. We have not trained together but whenever our camps would be held together, he would advise me about the training.”The skilled participant shared the mantra to maintain the crew collectively following her appointment as stand in captain. She mentioned that sustaining unity retains the nice outcomes coming whereas pressurizing the younger gamers doesn’t yield desired outcomes.
“Unity and good bond guarantee results, but keeping young players under pressure does not yield results. We as senior players give the younger players freedom. No senior has a guaranteed place, there is competition, and young players are talented. We motivate them as seniors,” shared the stand-in captain.
Savita Punia might be main the facet within the Nations Cup as Rani Rampal continues to be dealing with hamstring harm.
The participant didn’t share any replace on Rampal’s return and mentioned, “The coach would be able to answer about her.”Punia was ecstatic about BCCI’s transfer to pay similar match charges to women and men cricketers and termed it a obligatory step.
“As a female athlete, I was very happy, the same efforts are put in by women athletes. We have seen the time change. Hockey India is passionate about us. They fulfil our requirements,” mentioned the participant.
She expressed confidence that India will carry out nicely within the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023.
“During this time, sports cannot be predicted. The Indian team is very good and they will perform well.”The Indian Women’s hockey crew might be enjoying the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Valencia, Spain from December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022.
India have been positioned in group B alongside Japan, Canada and South Africa. (ANI)