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Rani Rampal made her international debut in 2008 as a 14-year-old during the Olympic qualifiers.
Rani Rampal scored 205 goals during her India career. (PTI Photo)
Former Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal announced her retirement on Thursday, ending a glittering 16-year career during which she became an inspiration for her phenomenal rise from a small town in Haryana where her father worked as a cart-puller.
The 29-year-old will sign off as one of India’s most decorated hockey players after leading the women’s team to its best-ever finish at the Olympics — a fourth place at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
“It’s 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 in a press conference.
A clinical forward, who made her international debut in 2008 as a 14-year-old in the Olympic qualifiers that year, Rani scored 205 goals in her 254 outings for India.
“These past 15 years have been nothing short of a fairytale-from the lows to the highs, I’ve experienced it all, and these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.
“From a little girl who started playing hockey with borrowed sticks in Shahabad, carrying big dreams, to leading the Indian Women’s Hockey Team on some of the world’s most prestigious stages-it has been a long and special ride. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and embraced every bit of it.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of my family, especially my father, who has been my biggest pillar of strength, standing by me throughout and shaping me into who I am today. To my childhood coach, Dronacharya Awardee Baldev Singh. don’t know where I would have been without your guidance in my early years,” she added.
She was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020 and was also a recipient of the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award, in the same year.
She was recently roped in as the national coach for sub-junior women players.
Rampal says while she’s sad at not winning an Olympic medal, it gives her pride the progress Indian team made that saw them qualifying for successive Summer Games.
“While there’s a slight sadness in not being able to win an Olympic medal for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, I take immense pride in representing India in two back-to-back Olympic Games-Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. From finishing last in 2016 to making history by finishing fourth in 2020, it’s a story I’m proud of and will always cherish. I am grateful to have been part of a team that made our country proud and inspired thousands of young girls,” Rampal said.
“Though I can’t imagine my life without hockey, I’m excited for what lies ahead. While I won’t be playing anymore, I have plans for the future. I genuinely want to give back to this beautiful sport, to Indian hockey, and I will contribute in every capacity possible.l also want to thank Hockey India, the Odisha State Government, SAI, the Government of India, and all the stakeholders who are dedicated to taking our sport to new heights,” she added.