Rani Rampal’s exhilarating journey from broken hockey sticks to the Tokyo Olympics

Rani Rampal is the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team.

Captain Rani Rampal of the Indian women’s hockey team has decided to pay support to his coach and family with a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Rani Rampal’s journey from a child who couldn’t afford a hockey stick to becoming the youngest player on the women’s hockey national team to participate in the 2010 World Cup (he only reached the age of 15) is not inspiring. The 26-year-old opened his journey in an interview with the people of Bombay.

“I wanted to escape my life; the lack of electricity in the mosquitoes that mourned in our ears when we slept, barely two square meals to flood our home during the rain,” he said.

Rani Rampal’s mother worked as a maid, her father was a cart driver. There was a hockey college near their home, and Rani spent hours watching the teams play and longing to join them. His father, who earned about 80 rubles a day, could not afford to buy him a hockey stick, he recalls.

“Every day I ask the coach to teach me too. He rejected me because I was malnourished,” Rani said.

Intimidated, he found a broken hockey stick and began practicing alone. Finally, after a huge reassurance, the coach decided to try him – but not everything went from there.

At the academy, all children were expected to bring 500 ml of milk daily. “My family could only afford 200ml of milk; without telling anyone, I mixed the milk with water and drank it because I wanted to play,” Rani told Humans of Bombay.

In addition, everyone was expected to start training early in the morning. Without a clock at home, his mother stayed up and looked at the sky to see if it was the right time to wake Rani.

But the hockey player also found support from his coach, not just his family. “He bought me hockey packs and shoes. He even let me live with his family and took care of my dietary needs. I would train hard and I didn’t lose one training day,” Rani Rampal recalled.

After earning his first salary – 500 rubles when he won the tournament – Rani handed over the money to his father. “He had never held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, ‘One day we will have our own home’; I did my best to strive for that.”

After several state championships, Rani Rampal received a national invitation at the age of 15. “With the support of my family, I focused on doing my best for India and eventually I became the captain of the Indian hockey team!” he said.

Four years ago, Rani was able to keep his promise to his family – he bought them a house. “We cried together and held each other tight! And I’m not ready yet; this year I’ve decided to pay them and the coach something they’ve always dreamed of – a gold medal from Tokyo,” he noted.

Rani Rampal’s inspiring journey from broken hockey sticks to the Tokyo Olympics has struck a chord with social media users. While his post has garnered thousands of likes, the comment section has been flooded with people congratulating and thanking the athlete.

“It brought tears to my eyes. This Malagasy woman is rooted on the Indian hockey team!” wrote one Facebook user.

“I’m a hockey player myself, I greet you. Your determination and courage in the face of such adversity is encouraging. I’m glad you’re an inspiration,” said another.

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