Former Indian women's hockey skipper Rani Rampal announces retirement

Former Indian womens hockey team captain Rani Rampal hung her boots by ending 1 16yearlong career From beating poverty to making the cut in the national team Rani Rampal has become an inspiration for manyHer father used to work as a cartpuller in HaryanaRani Rampal is one of the most decorated Indian hockey players after leading the womens team to its bestever Olympic campaign Tokyo Olympics 2021 in which Team India finished in fourth placeIts been an outstanding journey I never thought I will play for so long for India I have seen a lot of poverty from childhood but focus was always to do something represent the country she told reporters hereFrom making her debut in 2008 as a 14yearold Rani Rampal finished her international career with 205 goals in 254 outings for IndiaShe was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020 and was also a recipient of the Padma Shri the countrys fourthhighest civilian award in the same yearRani Rampal was recently appointed as the national coach for the subjunior womens team She will also act as the mentor of Soorma Hockey Club by representing Haryana and Punjab in the revamped Hockey India LeagueAlso ReadIND vs NZ 2nd Test Lack of water bottles leaves fans angry during the match at MCA in PuneThe player from Shahabad considered a cradle of Indian hockey rose from abject poverty to make the national teamHer father Ram Pal who has been her guiding force earned a mere Rs 80 per day and could not afford to even buy her a hockey stickShe was rejected by a districtlevel coach for being malnourished as a child but continued to practice with a broken hockey stick that she stumbled upon in a fieldDespite the many obstacles including initial opposition from her conservative family Rani made the local team as a sixyearold before becoming the youngest hockey player to turn up for India as a 14yearoldIt was a tough to take this decision especially when you have played 1516 years for the country But after much thought I felt it was the right time Already I have started my new innings as a mentor for the Delhi team in the womens HIL said the forward who has also faced some challenging fitness issues in the last couple of yearsIt was tough but finally I thought that its time I have no regrets in my life But I still feel proud I got the honour to represent the country for so many yearsRani was happy with the way her career progressed Under Rani Rampals captaincy India qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup and in the same year the side won a silver medal in the Asian GamesShe also led the team to victory in the 2019 FIH Series Finals and was a key contributor in the Indian teams backtoback appearance in the OlympicsI had a wonderful career There were plenty of high moments as well as lows But Rani as a sevenyearold had never thought of playing for the country for so many years the journey would be so gloriousSeriously I have never thought I will play 254 games for the country and score 200 goals All these moments will always remain with me There was struggle too because my childhood was not that good but the passion never died Country always came first for meRani Rampal thanked her family especially father for supporting her in her career after she stood her ground to pursue hockeyThere are plenty of people who supported me in my career The family comes first My family has seen a lot of poverty had to struggle a lot My father was poor but his thinking was very rich He gave me the opportunity to play and make my nameMy coach Baldev Singh sir has a big role to play in my life I got a very good teacher I am lucky to have a coach like Baldev sir He guided and taught me life lessons also besides hockeyHer only unfulfilled dream is an Olympic podium finishThere are plenty of changes happening in womens hockey We never thought there will be a league for womens hockey Girls will good exposure and financial help as well she saidWhat I want is to see the Indian womens hockey team at the Olympic podium I tried a lot but came very close to it I will very happy the day Indian womens team finishes on Olympic podium and we have that capabilityWith PTI Inputs