A journey from abject poverty to fame for hockey midfielder Neha Goyal

Mukesh Tandon
Tribune News Service
Sonepat, August 3

Neha Goyal, 25, a midfielder in the Indian women hockey team, has covered her way from a “toxic” atmosphere at her home to Tokyo Olympics by facing a life of intense struggle and hardships.

“Pritam Siwach, Arjuna awardee, who runs a hockey academy here, spotted her when she was only nine,” said Monika, elder sister of Neha. “Our financial condition was not good and our father was not living with us. That’s why we couldn’t afford her sports kit and other equipment.”

Our father used to drink a lot and used abusive language when he came home, said Monika. He passed away four years ago, with only our mother Savitri Devi taking care of all three sisters, she said.

“We have our own house in only 30 sq m land. It got damaged and we had no money for its repair. So, we went to live in a rented single room in the industrial area,” she added.

Our mother has fulfilled all our basic needs by working in a foam factory. Monika said Neha had started supporting the family now and had also bought the adjoining house.

Meanwhile, Pritam gave her sports shoes, uniform and hockey stick. He said she worked hard and cemented her position in the hockey team, which created history, making it a proud moment for our academy, where around 150 girls were playing presently.