The India Junior Women's hockey team has been making the most use of the ongoing Khelo India Women's Hockey League Under-21 here at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi as a much-needed warm-up ahead of the Junior Women's Hockey World Cup, scheduled for next year in South Africa.
The World Cup was supposed to be held this December but had to be postponed owing to the emergence of Omicron variant of COVID-19. The 18-year-old Haryana girl Deepika is one of the team's star performers in the tournament and has been a routine name in the score sheet of every match of the India Juniors. She has 8 goals after three matches in the competition. Her hockey journey started way back in 2011 and it took real passion, dedication and love to get into the sport.
"I started playing the game when I was probably seven or eight. There was immense support from my coach as well as my family. Back when I started out, I used to accompany my brother to the akhada for his wrestling training. On the way, I used to see a hockey field and I instantly fell in love with the game. I told my parents then that I don't want to play any game but hockey. There are mostly wrestlers in my family, my uncle, my brother, they all are wrestlers and they wanted me to be in that sport too. But, I was determined to play hockey. I want to prove that it is not necessary to be in wrestling." said Deepika.
Deepika is not only the top scorer of the league so far but also has four goals converted from penalty corners which is the highest among all players.
"We're getting all the best possible support from the staff ahead of the World Cup. Our coach Erik Wonink sir is working especially hard to make us fully prepared for the Hockey World Cup, postponed to next year. We have been training together at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since 2019 and we are provided with diet and every requirement we want. Hockey India, too, helps us in the best way possible. They fulfil whatever we require and I am thankful to both SAI and Hockey India for doing this much in our journey," she said.
Deepika idolizes Indian Test Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli and mentions that it is his never giving up attitude that inspires her.
"I idolize those who don't back down in life. Virat Kohli has seen a lot of ups and downs in his career as well as struggles and he is now in a big stage in his life." said Deepika.
Looking ahead, Deepika mentions that her journey to the Olympics has just started for her.
"This tournament is just the start and there is a long road ahead and many dreams to fulfil for me. My focus is on the Olympics and I will be very happy if not just me, every player of the squad playing today, gets to compete in the Olympics. We have been playing together for 3-4 years and the bonding among us is very good. We keep encouraging all our teammates during the match." told Deepika.
The Indian senior women's hockey team coming fourth in Tokyo Olympics have strengthened belief in many junior women's hockey players that they too can make their mark for the country.
( With inputs from ANI )
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