Saturday , November 23 2024

Former captain of Indian women's hockey team Rani Rampal retired

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New Delhi, 24 October (Hindustan Reporter). Former Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal announced her retirement on Thursday, ending her illustrious 16-year career.

Rani, who led India to a historic fourth place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, will be the mentor and coach of Surma Hockey Club of Punjab and Haryana in the upcoming Women's Hockey India League (HIL), which will begin later this year.

“It has been a wonderful journey,” he told reporters at a press conference. I never thought that I would play for India for so long. I have seen a lot of poverty since childhood, but my focus was always on doing something, representing the country.”

Despite making a strong comeback from a hamstring injury after the Tokyo Olympics, Rani fell out of favor with former coach Janneke Schopman and did not play much for the national team. She was recently inducted as the national coach for sub-junior women players.

Rani Rampal represented India in 254 matches and scored a total of 205 goals. His contribution to Indian hockey is huge, he played his first match in 2008 at the age of just 14.