Salima Tete has significantly contributed to the Indian hockey squad during the past few years.
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Salima Tete, hailing from the destitute background of Barki Chhapar village in Jharkhand’s Simdega district, has a family of five siblings, with four being sisters. Yet, despite her humble beginnings, the 22-year-old recently achieved notable recognition in her field, being honored as the Hockey India women’s Player of the Year. This accomplishment is not only a personal morale booster but also greatly benefits her family, especially with the monetary award of Rs 25 lakh.
The accolade, which came as a result of her unwavering dedication to hockey throughout the previous year, was presented to her at the Hockey India annual event that took place on the preceding Sunday. The news of her winning filled her family with immense pride. Tete expressed her deep appreciation for the financial incentives accompanying the award, emphasizing the significant impact on her family, indicating a shared victory through her achievements.
She reiterated her thankfulness to Hockey India for supporting her to contribute to her family’s daily needs. Her recognition extends to her on-field triumphs as well, as demonstrated by her formidable performance in the 2023 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, securing five goals and leading India to victory on her home turf.
Salima Tete brought further pride to her nation by participating in the Indian team that clinched the bronze medal in the Asian Games 2022, contributing a goal to the multisport event. Taking home such a prestigious award for the first time has fueled her ambition and heightened her awareness of her role on the team.
Tete shared her renewed enthusiasm for excelling further in the sport. She aspires to maximize every training opportunity and exert full effort in each session. Acknowledging the weight of the award, she aims to meet the expectations it encompasses and pursue even greater improvement in her game.
Having made her debut in 2016 during test matches against Australia in Melbourne, Tete’s journey to becoming a steadfast team member spanned three years. With 15 career goals and 107 international appearances, including a part in India’s near-podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics, her career has been commendable.
Tete’s story and recognition serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, underscoring the value of acknowledgment for one’s efforts and the support from national sports bodies, fueling the desire for excellence amongst peers in the realm of sports.
Salima Tete, a young woman who once practiced hockey with makeshift bamboo sticks on village fields, has come a long way from cycling over 20 kilometers to play in local matches where the prizes were livestock. Today, she is a celebrated international hockey star and has been chosen as the Athletes Ambassador for the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) from India.
She’s kicking off a two-year term with fellow players across Asia. Over the years, Salima has become a key player for the Indian team, earning the title of Rising Player in last year’s Women’s Asia Cup in Muscat. Her story, originating from the humble village of Simdega in Jharkhand, shines as an example of determination.
With parents Sulakshan and Subani Tete, and alongside her five siblings, Salima emerged from a life marked by struggle but filled with love. In her impoverished village where they couldn’t even watch TV, Salima’s farmer father would take her to matches by bike, sometimes as far as 20 kilometers away. Winning chickens and goats at these events meant a rare feast for the Tete household; otherwise, their meals were much simpler.
Without access to watch her first major games, the village, and even her family had to wait to see her play on national and international stages. As she climbed the ranks in her hockey career, winning was about more than just the game; it was about making her country proud. Now, with many accolades to her name, Salima’s journey from playing in the dirt to championing on the turf is an uplifting tale of talent and hard work triumphing over hardship.
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