It is heartening to hear the story of Rani Rampal. If not for her humble yet perceptive parents, India wouldn’t have one of their finest hockey forwards emerge as captain today. And we can’t think of a more deserving Indian captain!
It was Rani’s parents who enrolled her into playing the sport. In the small and subdued town of Shahabad, Rani’s father pulled a horse-cart while her mother managed the household. Poverty soon proved to be her impetus. The Asia Cup 2017 title is but a single feat in the arduous yet beautifully consolidated journey of Rani Rampal. Needless to say, her story and accomplishments precede her.
The same man, who rejected her for being too frail and below the required age limit, would soon relent and accept her the very next day. On seeing an agile spark, he would mentor and teach her the nuances of the game. The man, Baldev Singh, would go on to receive the prestigious Dronacharya Award – the highest honour for a coach.
© IE
At age 14, Rani skipped straight into her senior India debut and became the youngest player in the history of Indian hockey. In an emphatic start, she struck four goals in the Champions Challenge final (in Russia) to win India the title – and finished as the leading goal-scorer in the tournament. Her strategically delivered ‘sudden-death’ goal in the World Hockey League semifinals would then catapult India into the Rio Olympics after a prolonged period of 36 years. That same year, 15-year-old Rani was inducted into the International Hockey Federation’s World XI. However, these individual accreditations don’t yield any cash rewards. And unlike the men’s game there still isn’t a ‘Hockey India League’ for women to earn from. Rani’s father had to keep spurring the horse to put food on the table.
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There are still several speed bumps associated with women’s sports in India. But women like Rani Rampal are compelling the country to rethink and resurface the road. Today, she has come a long way – and also earned the title of Olympian Rani along the way. Most importantly, she has inspired a generation of young hockey enthusiasts to take up the sport. And as for her family, they can always beam proud!
– Varun Kumar | SpreadSports
