Indian hockey icon Rani Rampal has taken on a new role as a coach of the Soorma Hockey Club, a major step in her career after announcing her retirement. In an exclusive interview, Rampal shared her thoughts on the ongoing Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) auction and her personal journey as she transitions from player to coach. This auction marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time a women’s hockey league is being hosted by the HIL.
Rampal expressed her excitement about the launch of the women’s league, a long-awaited development that could shape the future of women’s hockey in India. “I’m very happy that HIL is hosting a women’s league for the first time. We were all waiting for it for a long time,” she said.
With a focus on nurturing young talent, Rampal believes this league will provide budding players with essential exposure. “We will get to see a lot of youngsters in the league, which will help us build the future of women’s hockey in India,” she remarked, underlining the importance of this platform.
The league will not only bolster confidence among up-and-coming players but also provide financial support to athletes from humble backgrounds. “When budding talents get such a platform, they gain a lot of confidence, and the nation watches them play. The league will also help them financially, because most of the players come from a humble background,” Rampal added.
On the auction front, Soorma Hockey Club has been focused on building a strong foundation by acquiring key Indian players. “Our focus was to get maximum Indian players. This league is a stepping stone for budding Indian talents, and we wanted to focus on building a young team,” Rampal said.
Notably, the club made significant bids for Indian stars like Salima Tete and Savita Punia, both of whom would bring a mix of experience and energy to the team. On the men’s side, Soorma bagged Indian team skipper Harmanpreet Singh for Rs 78 lakh. The team now has both the men’s and women’s national captains in their ranks; making Soorma the envy of many.
Discussing her transition from player to coach, Rampal spoke candidly about the challenges and objectives she has set for herself. “You can’t play with experience alone, so I want to focus on balancing experience with young talent,” she said, highlighting her goal to strike the right balance between seasoned players and emerging stars. “I will do my best to impart all the wisdom I have of hockey and share it with the team,” she added, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing the next generation of players.
As Rampal moves into this new phase of her career, she is determined to leverage her extensive experience on the field to help her team succeed. Her leadership, paired with the fresh talent coming through the league, promises to be an exciting prospect for Soorma Hockey Club and Indian hockey as a whole. The Women’s HIL has finally arrived, and with stalwarts like Rampal leading the way, the future of women’s hockey in India looks bright.
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