New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) In a heartfelt moment at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday, former Indian Women’s Hockey Team captain, Rani, announced her retirement from international hockey.
The announcement followed the conclusion of the PFC India vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024, marking the end of an illustrious 14-year career. Widely hailed as the “Queen of Indian Hockey,” Rani now turns her attention to coaching, with a commitment to nurturing the next generation of hockey stars.
Rani’s journey to hockey stardom began at just 14 years old, when she made her debut at the Olympic Qualifier in Kazan, Russia, in April 2008, becoming the youngest player to represent the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. Over the years, she led India to several key achievements, including the remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Hailing from Shahbaad Markanda, Haryana, Rani rose from modest beginnings, drawing inspiration from her early training at the academy of renowned coach Baldev Singh. Her tenacity and passion for the game saw her lead India to break a 13-year title drought by winning the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017. She also became the first Indian woman to be nominated for the FIH Women’s Young Player of the Year Award.
“After almost 15 years of wearing the Indian jersey with pride, it’s time for me to step off the field as a player and begin a new chapter. Hockey has been my passion, my life, and the greatest honour I could ever have asked for. From small beginnings to representing India on the biggest stages, this journey has been nothing short of incredible,” Rani said.
Her distinguished career is punctuated with numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 2016, World Games Athlete of the Year in 2019, Best Women Player of the Year by Hockey India in 2019, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2020, and the Padma Shri Award in 2020.
Rani is set to assume her new role as the Women’s Mentor and Indian Coach of Soorma Hockey Club in the revamped Hockey India League, which begins in December. She has already gained coaching experience, having served as chief coach of the Indian sub-junior girls’ team last year and completed the FIH Educators Course to hone her skills further.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Playing for India came with a lot of recognition, but the moments I will cherish the most are those spent training and fighting for every inch alongside my teammates. As I call time on my career, I am filled with pride and belief that the Indian Women’s Hockey Team will continue to achieve great things.”
As Rani steps off the international stage, her legacy as a trailblazer remains intact, and her journey from a small town in Haryana to the pinnacle of world hockey will continue to inspire generations to come.
