By Paritosh Pramanik
IT WAS October of 2010. The Indian women’s hockey team had just defeated Canada to finish fifth in the Commonwealth Games at Major Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi. At the Mixed Zone, yours truly waited for the young and energetic 15-year-old Rani Rampal for a few bytes. The youngest member of Indian women’s hockey team was too shy to give an ‘interview’, leave aside a few bytes. Reluctantly she stopped with a confused looking face which read ‘what would be the questions’.
When asked about her game and the match in which she scored the opening goal in India’s 3-0 win, the pint-sized girl said, “achcha khel tha. Bahut khush hu India jeet gaya (it was a good game, happy that India won the match).”
Even before the next query was shot at, Rani ran away towards her other team-mates and disappeared in the bunch which had senior stars like Surinder Kaur, Ritu Rani, Deepika Thakur and Saba Anjum to name a few.
Since that day, this little princess from Shahbad in Kuruksherta, one of the 22 districts of Haryana, Rani has tread difficult paths, clearing obstacles on and off the field to become Queen of India as well as world hockey.
Rani has become an epitome of Indian women hockey with sheer grit and determination. She has emerged like a phoenix from a State where honour killing and women foeticide tops the chart, where girls are forced to stay behind closed doors.
Braving and beating all odds, Rani’s parents, despite financial constraints, never deprived her of her first love — hockey.
The Haryanvi girl started learning the tricks of trade as early as six years under renowned coach Dronacharya Award winner Baldev Singh at Shahbad Hockey Academy. But her entry to the Academy was not an easy one.
Rani was sent back home by Baldev for being too frail. Her parents did not lose hope. They took her to the academy again next day and after a few laps of running, Rani was admitted.
“The first thing that struck me was their poverty. But it wasn’t because she was poor or frail that I had declined. It’s just that as a rule we didn’t take any girl under eight. She was barely six, and looked even smaller. But she was so gifted that I had to relax the rule for her. And I am glad I did,” Baldev had told ‘The Indian Express’ in 2015.
Within years, Rani graduated to the Indian squad passing the ‘exams’ at the school nationals and Hockey India organised national championship. As it is said, rest is history.
Rani was a born fighter, a hard worker and a lass who won’t give up till the last drop of sweat. Her struggles are rooted deep inside her mind and heart. She has overcame many obstacles and that determination has helped Rani rise to a place in world hockey where she is now looked upon as a role model.
Rani’s winning goal in the dying moments during the Olympics qualifiers against the US last year is the testimony to the unbridled passion she brings to the game.
As she received the ball inside the semi-circle, Rani did not falter but controlled it after a fumble. Dribbling past a defender she latched a powerful hit into the net before falling onto her knees. That was the moment for Indian hockey as the team booked ticket to Tokyo 2020.
Rani is a versatile player, always ready to help the team. She falls back to help her defence and also doubles up as a midfielder when the occasion demands. She started as a striker but as days progressed she started playing as a midfielder too. Her agility and stamina is unmatched and she is one of the fittest players in the Indian squad. The way she dribbles past opponents is a treat to watch. With a full body sway, Rani foxes the opponents with utmost ease. Rani has a knack of reading opponents’ mind which helps her in thwarting rivals’ moves with her tackling skills.
The world hockey has started taking note of this talented Queen of Indian hockey and rated her as the best forwards in the world. The World Games Athlete of the Year award last month is the testimony to Rani’s growing stature in international hockey. She became the first-ever hockey player to win the prestigious award.
Even before this international recognition, the Indian Government bestowed her with Padmashri Award, the fourth highest civilian award of the country.
From a frail girl from a nondescript Shahbad in Haryana to the Queen of Indian hockey, Rani has proved that challenges, obstacles, difficulties are merely in the mind. It’s the will that has to be strong to conquer the demons of negativity. The coronation as the best athlete in the world and Padma award are the best acknowledgments.
The inspirational journey of Rani Rampal to the top of world hockey will definitely inspire many to take sport and fight against odds.
