Haryana: Dad’s Rani has come a long way despite hurdles

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, August 2

The Indian women’s hockey team led by Shahabad’s Rani Rampal scripted history on Monday by qualifying for the Olympic semifinals for the first time. Her family is being showered with praises and congratulatory messages.

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Meanwhile, her story of how a malnourished girl, who started practising with a broken stick, became the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team is an example and a source of motivation to many.

The 26-year-old daughter of a horse cart-puller and a housemaid, her family has experienced many hurdles and seen extreme poverty but her talent, determination and passion towards the sport have taken her to the pinnacle of the game. Given the Khel Ratna last year, she has been a regular in the Indian team after making her debut as a 14-year-old back in 2008, making her the youngest player to play for the national team.

Playing in Olympics was her childhood dream and now she is just a victory away from achieving a milestone.

Fighting all odds, Rani bought her family a house in 2017. “I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. I’m not done yet. This year, I’m determined to repay them and my coach with something they’ve always dreamed of – a gold medal from Tokyo,” she said.

Talking to The Tribune, her father Rampal said: “Initially, there were a lot of hurdles, not only due to lack of money but also conservative mindset... At first, we were reluctant and didn’t allow her to play but she was unmoved. So we gave in and it was her determination and passion that made me a proud father today.”

He said now many people of our community send their daughters to play hockey and I wish all girls make their parents proud. “We are also thankul to her coach Baldev Singh for his help.”

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