Boria: Welcome to an interview with Rani. Perhaps the greatest player that India has seen as far as women’s hockey is concerned. The performance that we have seen, first getting relegated from the Pro League, then a new coach, then this transformation, finishing fifth in the World Cup. How do you see this performance?
Rani: I think we have just seen these 10-15 days, how women’s hockey is played. But I think they have done a lot of work in these 15 days. The Pro League is a very big platform where you get a chance to play with top teams. But, higher-ranked teams don’t want to come and play with you in your country, because they think that lower-ranked teams have to come to us and play. Additionally, no matter how well-trained you are, no matter how well-prepared you are, the pressure of your first tournament is always on you.
Being a women’s hockey player, I felt very proud. We used to dream of finishing in the top four in a tournament like the World Cup or Olympics.
Boria: I spoke to the coach and heard something very important. He said, when I took charge, I saw that many players were playing for themselves and not for the team. I made it clear that I don’t want anyone who is playing for herself. Rani, do you think this is the central problem? And is team culture coming back?
Rani: Absolutely. I don’t feel ashamed to say that this is the problem. I have been on this journey as a player and I have been working with the under-18 Indian team. My main focus is that until we do not become a team, we cannot perform. Winning or losing is a different story. When you fight for each other on the field, even a non-hockey player knows that.
Boria: I was told that the team has tried to change the culture and are using different fitness drills and sports science for each individual. Do you think this is a better team than the Pro League? Are the girls much fitter?
Rani: It’s all about fitness. If you can’t compete physically from the first minute to the last, then any team struggles. It doesn’t matter if it’s a world-class team or not. We have seen a change in women’s hockey. Why did we finish fourth in the Tokyo Olympics? Even during the pandemic, we were able to compete physically.
The most important thing is the bond with the players. If Wayne Lombard asks you to do 10 reps, the players are always ready to do 12 reps.
Boria: Every player is saying that the Hockey India League should be there. You are a part of this league. You have coached. How important is this?
Rani: For a player like me, it was a dream. I didn’t know if there would be a league for women in India. For this league, you can improve your physical fitness. But if you have a mental fear or low confidence level, you have to train to increase your confidence and mental ability.
When top players come and play with you, you share a room with them, or you share a changing room, or you share a dining table. When you talk to them, you gain confidence when you play with them in a match.
If we get this league done this year, because it is the third season, then this league will continue. If we have struggled to run it this year, then it is very difficult for women’s hockey.
Boria: The World Cup has made everyone optimistic. If Asian Games gold comes, we will qualify for the Olympics. If we qualify for the Olympics, we will be able to train for LA28 for 18 months. Do you think Asian Games gold is now possible if we play with our ability?
Rani: Absolutely. There is a high possibility that we can win gold in the Asian Games and qualify directly for LA. But again, the pressure of the tournament is totally different. Every team can compete with us. But every team still brings hope. If we fight, we have a chance to do it. Our main contender was China. I really want to see our girls create history in Asian Games. I have always said that it doesn’t matter where we are in sports, but my ultimate dream is to see women’s hockey at the Olympic podium.
When I was playing and leading India, I tried a lot with my teammates and coaching staff, but somehow, I missed it. To be honest, we have the ability.
When an individual medal is won, of course we are happy. But when a medal is won in team sport, we all go crazy. Can’t we celebrate it throughout the year? Something or the other happens in the sport. When I was young, I used to think that if I do something good, I used to think, wow, their photo has come in the paper today. Will our photo ever come in the newspaper? Maybe a child’s dream is that if I do something good for India, my photo will come in the newspaper.
(Transcribed by Simran Gupta.)
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