Former Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal recently announced her retirement, marking the end of a 16-year career. Coming from a humble background, Rani’s life story is one of hard work and courage, making her a role model for young girls all over India. At the age of 29, she bids adieu to the sport.
Rani was born on 4 December 1994 in Kurukshetra, Haryana, to a family with limited means. Her father pulled a handcart, and her mother worked as a maid. Despite these hardships, Rani started her hockey journey at the age of 7, inspired by her father’s wish to see her achieve great things in sports.
Early struggles
Rani’s journey in hockey began with struggles. Her family couldn’t afford a hockey stick, so she practised with a broken one. She often trained in traditional salwar kameez and persuaded her coach to let her play in attire that respected her family’s wishes.
Rani shared that her mother would wake her up at dawn by looking at the sky because they didn’t have a clock. They could only afford 200 ml of milk, so she mixed it with water to meet her academy’s requirement of 500 ml. She credits her coach, Baldev Singh, for providing her with necessary equipment and guiding her through her training.
Started young in Indian hockey
Rani made her debut at the age of 14, and at just 15, Rani became the youngest player on the national team, competing in the 2010 World Cup. She led the Indian women’s hockey team in two consecutive Olympic Games, including the Tokyo Olympics, where the team made history by finishing fourth.
Fulfilling a promise to her family
In 2017, Rani kept a promise to her family by buying them a new home, fulfilling her father’s dream. This was an emotional moment for her family, who had supported her every step of the way.
Rani’s outstanding achievements in hockey were recognised with India’s top awards. Under her leadership, India won medals in the Asian Games and the Asia Cup. In 2020, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Shri and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for her contributions to hockey.
Lead India to the best finish in Olympics 2020
By 2020, Rani was already a legend in Indian hockey, but the Tokyo Olympics marked the peak of her career. Under her leadership, the Indian women’s hockey team reached the bronze medal match and achieved a historic fourth-place finish, which was India’s best-ever Olympic result. By Tokyo 2020, Rani was an inspiration, especially for young players.
An Inspiration for Generations
Rani’s journey has taken Indian women’s hockey to new heights and inspired countless young athletes. Her story proves the power of determination and hard work, motivating young girls to follow their dreams and aim high.
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