Twitter reacts as Rani Rampal gets a stadium named after her

With this, Rani Rampal also became the first female hockey player from India to have a stadium named after her.

Rani Rampal in a file photo (Image Credits - Olympics.com)
By Abhiruchi Rout | Mar 22, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Rani Rampal, the former captain of India’s women’s hockey team, has had the Modern Coach Factory Stadium in Raebareli renamed in her honour. The arena has been given the new name ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’ in recognition of the renowned athlete. With this, she also became the first female hockey player from India to have a stadium named after her. Rani Rampal is a Padma Shri and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna recipient. After making her senior debut in 2009, she has participated in more than 250 international matches for India. She was a member of the Indian women’s hockey team that won the Women’s Asian Cup in 2017 and guided them to a historic fourth-place finish in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Rani Rampal, however, has been battling ailments since the Summer Games in Japan, keeping her out of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. Despite this setback, the star striker rejoined the Indian team earlier this year when she was picked for a 22-person squad for a trip to South Africa. Among her additional accolades was receiving the Best Young Player of the Tournament” title in the 2010 Women’s Hockey World Cup in recognition of her outstanding performance as the competition’s leading field goal scorer. She was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Junior World Cup, where India took third place. This was India’s first bronze medal ever.

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Rani Rampal’s tweet after she was given the recognition

This is how Twitter reacted after Rani Rampal becomes the first woman athlete to receive this honor:

Here is what Rani Had to say post receiving the recognition:

“Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF ( Modern Coach Factory) Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf to honour my contribution to hockey,” she posted on Twitter. She further added, “It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium to my name. I dedicate this to the Indian women’s hockey team and I hope this inspires the next generation of women hockey players,” the 28-year-old Rani Rampal added.

How will this move inspire youngsters?

Rani Rampal is an inspiration to many young Indian athletes because of her commitment and determination. She has been outspoken about the need for greater facilities and financial backing for women’s hockey in the nation. Renaming the stadium is a big step in supporting women’s sports in India and acknowledging the efforts of female athletes. The stadium’s renaming is also an appropriate tribute to Rani Rampal’s leadership and her part in encouraging the next wave of female hockey players in the nation. The action is anticipated to inspire and motivate a large number of young girls to take up the sport and achieve their aspirations of becoming professional athletes.

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