Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: August 21, 2023, 09:13 IST
Her days of scorching the astro-turf may be over however legendary former India captain Rani Rampal has completely “no regrets” as she believes in making most of whatever opportunities that come her way.
Rani has been India’s most decorated women’s hockey player, having led the country to its best-ever finish at the Olympics — a fourth place at Tokyo Games in 2021.
Besides,she was bestowed with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020 and also received the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award, in the same year.
“I don’t have any regrets now, I know I did my work and still I am doing. In life, if one door closes for you, God opens up another one. You can’t get stuck in life. I have realised there will be plenty of people to pull you down in life but you have to raise yourself,” Rani informed PTI in an unique interview as she gears up for her new function as coach of India U-17 women’ workforce.
“Hockey gave me an id, folks hearken to me, speak to me due to hockey. So I simply need to work for hockey in any capability, you possibly can play, mentor younger youngsters, you possibly can train. No physique can snatch my ardour for hockey,” the star centre-forward added.
But Rani’s journey has been a roller coaster one as she overcame many adversities to create her own identity in Indian hockey circuit.
“The journey has been good but with a lot of struggles. There were very good moments in this journey and learnt a lot as well. It’s all about working hard and giving your best and rest leave it to the Almighty,” she stated.
“I began enjoying hockey on the age of seven. I’m speaking about 22 years again then. That time in Haryana, women taking over sport was nonetheless a taboo however it has drastically modified now. Now mother and father encourage women to play sports activities in Haryana.
“When I informed my mother and father for the primary time that I need to play hockey, they stated you possibly can’t, what’s going to folks take into consideration, women don’t play sports activities,” she said.
Rani, however, credits her father and coach Baldev Singh for standing strong behind her and supporting in her journey.
“All my relatives objected against, saying she will have to wear shorts, skirts and that will spoil the name of the family. At that time, my father supported me but said don’t do anything which will let us down. It took years for me to instil that trust in them that I can achieve something.
“Besides my coach Baldev sir’s contribution is immense in what I am today,” she stated.
Hockey has given her title, fame and he or she now leads a financially safe life having seen immense poverty throughout her childhood years.
“I’ve seen loads of poverty however hockey modified my and my mother and father’ life.”
Asked why she chose hockey and not any other sport, Rani replied: “There was only sport from where felt I belonged. So I didn’t know about anything. I just focussed on playing hockey. Hockey was very famous in Shahbad (Haryana) because India’s best hockey academy was there. More than 70 girls represented India from that academy.
“There was a culture of hockey in Shahbad.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Ritayan BasuRitayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com, covers badminton and cricket however soccer stays his forte. Follow him at @ritayanbasu…Read More
Source: www.news18.com
