*Their cheerful faces basked in the glory of their achievement. By winning the first ever bronze for the country at the junior hockey World Cup, the girls have directed the spotlight on them. Under new coach Neil Hawgood, they are seeing it as a step towards a promising future and hoped the victory will inspire many to take up the hockey stick.*
For the moment, they enjoyed the adulation showered upon them as Hockey India (HI) and the sports ministry felicitated the team in the Capital on Wednesday by giving away cash prizes.
The star of India's victory, custodian Bigan Soy, had a perpetual grin on her face as she recounted her brilliant performance in the tense shootout in the bronze-medal match against England. Surprisingly, it was the first time that Soy was fielded in the tournament and she repaid the faith of the coach by making five saves, helping her team win the match 3-2.
"I used to feel a bit sad that I didn't get to play one match but whenever I used to see the girls play in a match, I used to play mentally with them. To help my team to win is too good to believe! It has given me the confidence to do even better," said the Jharkhand girl.
Rani, who scored twice in the final match, hoped the medal would land them jobs. "I am currently with Railways but a job with Haryana government can make things a lot better for me," said Rani, whose father is a cart puller.
Coach Neil Hawgood said his girls punched above their weight. "The fitness level has greatly improved. When you talk of bench strength, I have every single member in the squad who could play 42 minutes of hockey.
"Asia Cup, which is next, will be a tough assignment but I am not saying that we cannot win," he said.
Karnataka's Ponnamma Mallamad Narendra said they had prepared thoroughly for the event and analysed the game of the top teams. "For most of us, it was the last opportunity to win a medal at the junior World Cup as we will be graduating to the senior level soon. Most of us had played at senior level, so it helped. The victory will inspire many to take up the sport," said Ponnamma, a B Com student at Mangalore University.
The men's team too joined the celebration. "Ours is one big hockey family. All of us (including players of senior team) were jumping in celebration when the girls won. Success is always inspiring," said men's team coach Roelant Oltmans.
"There, however, is a huge gap to bridge at the senior level. Almost the same womens team played in the FIH World League Round 3 in Rotterdam where we faired poorly but they have the talent."
HI awarded each player and coach Hawgood Rs 1 lakh. Vice-captain and forward Rani was awarded an additional Rs 1 lakh for winning the best 'Player of the Tournament' award. The support staff too got Rs 50,000.
The girls also met Sports Minister Jitendra Singh who announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for each player. The coaches will get Rs. 25,000 each.
Meanwhile, the men's hockey team was also given a send off for the crucial Asia Cup at Malaysia. The team has been rocked by injuries to its four key strikers SV Sunil, Danish Mujtaba, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Akashdeep Singh. India captain Sardar Singh admitted it would be tough without their key players. "We are having intense training sessions and want to give it our best shot." Reported by Deccan Herald 18 hours ago.
For the moment, they enjoyed the adulation showered upon them as Hockey India (HI) and the sports ministry felicitated the team in the Capital on Wednesday by giving away cash prizes.
The star of India's victory, custodian Bigan Soy, had a perpetual grin on her face as she recounted her brilliant performance in the tense shootout in the bronze-medal match against England. Surprisingly, it was the first time that Soy was fielded in the tournament and she repaid the faith of the coach by making five saves, helping her team win the match 3-2.
"I used to feel a bit sad that I didn't get to play one match but whenever I used to see the girls play in a match, I used to play mentally with them. To help my team to win is too good to believe! It has given me the confidence to do even better," said the Jharkhand girl.
Rani, who scored twice in the final match, hoped the medal would land them jobs. "I am currently with Railways but a job with Haryana government can make things a lot better for me," said Rani, whose father is a cart puller.
Coach Neil Hawgood said his girls punched above their weight. "The fitness level has greatly improved. When you talk of bench strength, I have every single member in the squad who could play 42 minutes of hockey.
"Asia Cup, which is next, will be a tough assignment but I am not saying that we cannot win," he said.
Karnataka's Ponnamma Mallamad Narendra said they had prepared thoroughly for the event and analysed the game of the top teams. "For most of us, it was the last opportunity to win a medal at the junior World Cup as we will be graduating to the senior level soon. Most of us had played at senior level, so it helped. The victory will inspire many to take up the sport," said Ponnamma, a B Com student at Mangalore University.
The men's team too joined the celebration. "Ours is one big hockey family. All of us (including players of senior team) were jumping in celebration when the girls won. Success is always inspiring," said men's team coach Roelant Oltmans.
"There, however, is a huge gap to bridge at the senior level. Almost the same womens team played in the FIH World League Round 3 in Rotterdam where we faired poorly but they have the talent."
HI awarded each player and coach Hawgood Rs 1 lakh. Vice-captain and forward Rani was awarded an additional Rs 1 lakh for winning the best 'Player of the Tournament' award. The support staff too got Rs 50,000.
The girls also met Sports Minister Jitendra Singh who announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for each player. The coaches will get Rs. 25,000 each.
Meanwhile, the men's hockey team was also given a send off for the crucial Asia Cup at Malaysia. The team has been rocked by injuries to its four key strikers SV Sunil, Danish Mujtaba, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Akashdeep Singh. India captain Sardar Singh admitted it would be tough without their key players. "We are having intense training sessions and want to give it our best shot." Reported by Deccan Herald 18 hours ago.