Exclusive: Rani Rampal reveals that 'hate' kept them going in Tokyo Olympics 2020 medal quest

Rani Rampal and the team channelled the cynicism and the challenge that was thrown at them in the form of hate.

The India women's hockey team missed out on bronze in Tokyo Olympics 2020 but won plenty of hearts. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Aaryanshi Mohan | Aug 10, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Hockey has once again regained the consciousness of the Indian sports fans. The India men’s hockey team broke a 41-year wait for the medal by securing bronze against Germany. With that result, the India men’s hockey team became the most successful team in the history of the Olympics. The Indian women’s hockey team has also made the country proud. They defeated Australia in the quarterfinal and were just minutes away from securing the bronze against Great Britain but they lost 3-4. The tears in the aftermath of the defeat showed the desire of wanting to win something for the nation.

The Indian women’s hockey team also set a benchmark for young girls all over the country.

Looking ahead into the coming years, it is a crucial affair for the team. Staying grounded and not leaving behind practice will get them the desired results from the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. 2022 is just four months away, the girls will still have fresh memories of the lessons they learnt at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Steps in hate

But, initially, the journey was not so simple. Not a lot of people in the country imagined the team to make it past the group stages, having lost the first three matches. But the Indian women’s hockey team proved them wrong when they made it to the quarter-finals and then into their first semi-finals. 

People back home were eagerly waiting for the girls to rise to the occasion. When they faltered, came in hate. The first three matches were tough and the pressure was immense. Vandana Katariya, the hat-trick hero against South Africa, was subject to casteist abuse when they lost to Argentina in the semi-final.

Back home conversations regarding how the girls couldn’t make it and that they didn’t have it in them were picking pace. When asked what message Rani had for such people, she just smiled and said “I just want to thank all the people who did not believe in us. We had someone to prove wrong. It is this hate that kept us going. We finished way above what we did previously,” Rani Rampal told in an exclusive interaction with Sportslumo.

The future is bright according to Rani Rampal

Rani Rampal, the Indian women’s hockey team captain is hopeful for an extremely great year ahead. As mentioned, 2022 is a new window of opportunities for these young girls. “Next goal for us is going to be the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. These are big platforms for the girls and we are looking forward to the matches there,” Rani said.

All the other players agreed with the captain and said they are willing to give their 100 percent for the tournaments to come. The India women’s hockey team are confident of winning a medal for the country in both the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

“Hard work and practice…” 

Knowing they have inspired a generation of girls to take up the game, Rani just had one message of hardwork and practice. The captain said each and every player of the team has made a lot of sacrifices to get to the level they reach.

“My only message to young girls who want to take up hockey is that a lot of practice and determination goes into representing the country. There is a lot of sweat and tears that go into making a hockey player and a top-level athlete. If you’re ready to do all of that, hockey will welcome you with open arms,” Rani said. “You will have to go days without meeting your family and some days in practice would be hard. Discipline is the most important thing when you want to become an athlete,” she added.

Rani Rampal suggested tone important factor for the current generation. “Be inspired by what these young girls have achieved. Most of the team players in the women’s hockey team come from families that are not so financially sound. All of them have inspiring tales of their own to tell,” the Indian women’s hockey team skipper said.

Rani Rampal and the team channelled the cynicism and the challenge that was thrown at them in the form of hate. They may have not won the medal, but they have given generations of women in the country enough inspiration to build the base of hockey even further.