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In an emotional farewell at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, former Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Rani officially announced her retirement from international hockey.
NEW DELHI: In an emotional farewell at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, former Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Rani officially announced her retirement from international hockey following the PFC India vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024. Widely known as the “Queen of Indian Hockey,” Rani now plans to focus on coaching and nurturing young talent.
Rani, who debuted for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team at just 14, had a stellar career spanning 14 years, including leading the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Coming from modest beginnings in Shahbaad Markanda, Haryana, Rani overcame numerous challenges to rise to the top, drawing early inspiration from her coach, Baldev Singh.
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“After nearly 15 years of proudly wearing the Indian jersey, it’s time to step away as a player and start a new journey. Hockey has been my passion and my life, and this journey has been nothing short of incredible,” Rani said, reflecting on her career.
Under her leadership, India won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017, ending a 13-year drought. Rani also became the first Indian women’s player to be nominated for the FIH Women’s Young Player of the Year Award. Over the years, she has earned several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award (2016), World Games Athlete of the Year (2019), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2020), and the Padma Shri (2020).
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Looking back on her career, Rani said, “The moments I cherish most are those spent with my team, especially our hard-fought victories at the Tokyo Olympics. I leave the field with pride, confident that the Indian Women’s Hockey Team will achieve even greater success in the future.”
Rani’s next chapter will see her take on the role of Women’s Mentor and Indian Coach for Soorma Hockey Club in the upcoming Hockey India League this December. She has already served as chief coach of the Indian sub-junior girls’ team and completed the FIH Educators Course earlier this year.
Expressing her gratitude to her teammates, coaches, and fans, Rani said, “Though my playing days are over, my love for the game remains. I look forward to contributing to hockey in new ways and giving back to the sport that has given me so much.”
Rani’s inspiring journey from overcoming societal barriers to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in Indian women’s hockey cements her legacy as a trailblazer in the sport.
