DOB 4th December 1994 - (Had to be a Sagittarian to have such "Determination and Tenacity" - How Do I know ? Good Question.
Rani Rampal, Who Led India To Olympic Semis, Once Couldn't Afford Hockey Stick
"Everyday, I'd ask the coach to teach me too. He'd reject me because I was malnourished," said Rani Rampal.
Written by Sanya Jain
Updated: August 02, 2021 1:15 pm IST
Rani Rampal is captain of the Indian women's hockey team.
Rani Rampal, captain of the Indian women's hockey team, has much to celebrate today. The Indian women's hockey team stunned Australia to enter the semi-finals in the Tokyo Olympics - and with this win, Rani Rampal is one step closer to realising her Olympic gold dream. In an interview with Humans of Bombay last week, she had explained how she wants to repay her coach and her family for their support with an Olympic gold medal. "I'm determined to repay them [her family] and coach with something they've always dreamed of- a gold medal from Tokyo," she had said.
Rani Rampal's journey from a child who could not afford a hockey stick to becoming the youngest player in the national women's hockey team to participate in the 2010 World Cup (she qualified when she was only 15), is nothing short of inspirational. The 26-year-old opened up about her journey in the interview with Humans of Bombay.
"I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained," she said.
Rani Rampal's mother worked as a maid, her father was a cart-puller. There was a hockey academy near their home, and Rani would spend hours watching the teams play, and longing to join them. Her father, who earned around ₹ 80 a day, could not afford to buy her a hockey stick, she recalls.
"Everyday, I'd ask the coach to teach me too. He'd reject me because I was malnourished," said Rani.
Undeterred, she found a broken hockey stick and began practicing on her own. Finally, after a lot of convincing, the coach decided to give her a try - but it wasn't all smooth-sailing from there.
At the academy, all children were expected to bring 500ml of milk every day. "My family could only afford milk worth 200 ml; without telling anyone, I'd mix the milk with water and drink it because I wanted to play," Rani told Humans of Bombay.
Moreover, everyone was expected to start training early in the morning. With no clock at home, her mother would stay up and look at the sky to check if it was the right time to wake Rani up.
But the hockey player found support in her coach too, not just her family. "He'd buy me hockey kits and shoes. He even allowed me to live with his family and took care of my dietary needs. I'd train hard and wouldn't miss a single day of practice," Rani Rampal remembered.
After earning her first salary - ₹ 500 on winning a tournament - Rani handed the money to her father. "He hadn't ever held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, 'One day, we're going to have our own home'; I did everything in my power to work towards that."
After several state championships, Rani Rampal got the national call when she was 15. "With my family's support, I focused on doing my best for India and eventually, I became captain of the Indian hockey team!" she said.
Four years ago, Rani was able to fulfil the promise she had made her family - she bought a house for them. " We cried together and held each other tightly! And I'm not done yet; this year, I'm determined to repay them and Coach with something they've always dreamed of- a gold medal from Tokyo," she concluded.
Rani Rampal's inspiring journey from broken hockey sticks to the Tokyo Olympics has struck a chord with social media users. While her post has racked up thousands of 'likes', the comments section has been flooded with people congratulating and complimenting the athlete.
"Brought tears to my eyes. This woman from Madagascar will be rooting for India's hockey team!" wrote one Facebook user.
12 Comments "As a hockey player myself, I salute you. Your determination and courage in the face of so adversity, is encouraging. I am glad that you are an inspiration," another said.
“I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained. My parents tried their best, but there was only so much they could do–Papa was a cart puller and Maa worked as a maid.
There was a hockey academy near my home, so I’d spend hours watching players practice–I really wanted to play. Papa would earn Rs.80 a day and couldn't afford to buy me a stick. Everyday, I’d ask the coach to teach me too. He’d reject me because I was malnourished. He’d say, ‘You aren’t strong enough to pull through a practice session.’
So, I found a broken hockey stick on the field and began practicing with that– I didn’t have training clothes, so I was running around in a salwar kameez. But I was determined to prove myself. I begged the coach for a chance– maine bahut mushkil se convince kiya unko finally!
But when I told my family, they said, ‘Ladkiya ghar ka kaam hi karti hai,’ and ‘Hum tumhe skirt pehen kar khelne nahi denge.’ I’d plead with them saying, ‘Please mujhe jaane do. If I fail, I’ll do whatever you want.’
There was a hockey academy near my home, so I’d spend hours watching players practice–I really wanted to play. Papa would earn Rs.80 a day and couldn't afford to buy me a stick. Everyday, I’d ask the coach to teach me too. He’d reject me because I was malnourished. He’d say, ‘You aren’t strong enough to pull through a practice session.’
So, I found a broken hockey stick on the field and began practicing with that– I didn’t have training clothes, so I was running around in a salwar kameez. But I was determined to prove myself. I begged the coach for a chance– maine bahut mushkil se convince kiya unko finally!
But when I told my family, they said, ‘Ladkiya ghar ka kaam hi karti hai,’ and ‘Hum tumhe skirt pehen kar khelne nahi denge.’ I’d plead with them saying, ‘Please mujhe jaane do. If I fail, I’ll do whatever you want.’
My family reluctantly gave in.
Training would start early in the morning. We didn’t even have a clock, so mom would stay up and look at the sky to check if it was the right time to wake me.
At the academy, it was mandatory for each player to bring 500 ml of milk. My family could only afford milk worth 200 ml; without telling anyone, I’d mix the milk with water and drink it because I wanted to play.
My coach supported me through thick and thin; he’d buy me hockey kits and shoes. I’d train hard and wouldn’t miss a single day of practice.
I remember earning my first salary; I won Rs.500 after winning a tournament and gave the money to Papa. He hadn’t ever held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, ‘One day, we’re going to have our own home’; I did everything in my power to work towards that.
After representing my state and playing in several championships, I finally got a national call up at the age of 15!
From facing poverty in childhood to fulfilling 'Olympic dream'; Rani Rampal has come a long way
The 26-year-old is just one more victory away from achieving her dream of Olympics medal
Aug 03, 2021 07:11 AM (IST)
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 2
Powered By The Tribune x eReleGo
Rani Rampal, who has led the Indian women’s hockey team to the semifinals of the Olympic Games for the very first time, is a living example of the transformative power of sport.
Daughter of a cart-puller father and housemaid mother in Haryana’s Shahabad, Rani knew extreme poverty growing up but her talent and perseverance took her to the pinnacle of sport in India – when she was awarded the Khel Ratna last year, she said she had only one dream: an Olympics medal.
Now the 26-year-old is just one more victory away from achieving her dream.
Rani’s story is not new, for she got into the national team at age 14 and has been around for a long time, but this inspirational story bears retelling.
Sports was her dream and also her route out of poverty, and she defied odds such as lack of gear – playing in salwar-kamiz, for instance – or good shoes to play in or even a proper diet.
She wanted to escape a life that’s norm for a large number of Indians.
“I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained,” Rani said a few years ago.
“My parents tried their best, but there was only so much they could do — papa was a cart-puller and maa worked as a maid.”
The road to Tokyo has been very difficult. When she started out playing hockey, she was told by her parents: ‘Ladkiya ghar ka kaam hi karti hai… Girls only do household work and we won’t allow you to play in skirts.”
Eventually, her family gave in to her pleadings. Since they did not have a clock, Rani’s mother used to stay awake until early morning to be able to wake Rani up for practice.
Probably the best thing that ever happened to her was that she was accepted for training at the Shahabad Hockey Academy. Training under Baldev Singh, a winner of the Dronacharya Award, honed her skills.
She has been a regular in the Indian team after making her debut as a 14-year-old back in 2008, making her the youngest player to play for the national team.
She made her World Cup debut in 2010, at 15, and scored five of India’s seven goals in the competition.
Rani was part of the Indian team which represented India at Rio 2016, the first time the Indian women qualified for the Olympics in 36 years.
She had earned 241 international caps till before the Tokyo Olympics and had scored 117 goals.
Coming to Tokyo, she scored the goal that clinched India’s berth for the Olympics, in the final qualification match against the United States in Bhubaneswar.
In 2017, Rani bought her family a home – just as she had promised. “I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. We cried together and held each other tightly,” she said.
She can fulfil another promise to herself now, of a medal at an Olympics.
Training would start early in the morning. We didn’t even have a clock, so mom would stay up and look at the sky to check if it was the right time to wake me.
At the academy, it was mandatory for each player to bring 500 ml of milk. My family could only afford milk worth 200 ml; without telling anyone, I’d mix the milk with water and drink it because I wanted to play.
My coach supported me through thick and thin; he’d buy me hockey kits and shoes. I’d train hard and wouldn’t miss a single day of practice.
I remember earning my first salary; I won Rs.500 after winning a tournament and gave the money to Papa. He hadn’t ever held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, ‘One day, we’re going to have our own home’; I did everything in my power to work towards that.
After representing my state and playing in several championships, I finally got a national call up at the age of 15!
Still, my relatives would only ask me when I was planning on getting married. But Papa told me, ‘Play until your heart’s content.’ With my family’s support, I focused on doing my best for India and eventually, I became captain of the Indian hockey team!
Soon after, while I was at home, a friend papa used to work with visited us. He brought along his granddaughter and told me, ‘She’s inspired by you and wants to become a hockey player!’ I was so happy; I just started crying.
And then in 2017, I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. We cried together and held each other tightly!
Soon after, while I was at home, a friend papa used to work with visited us. He brought along his granddaughter and told me, ‘She’s inspired by you and wants to become a hockey player!’ I was so happy; I just started crying.
And then in 2017, I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. We cried together and held each other tightly!
And I’m not done yet; this year, I’m determined to repay them and Coach with something they’ve always dreamed of– a gold medal from Tokyo.
Gold Medal it is
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From facing poverty in childhood to fulfilling 'Olympic dream'; Rani Rampal has come a long way
The 26-year-old is just one more victory away from achieving her dream of Olympics medal
Aug 03, 2021 07:11 AM (IST)
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 2
Powered By The Tribune x eReleGo
Rani Rampal, who has led the Indian women’s hockey team to the semifinals of the Olympic Games for the very first time, is a living example of the transformative power of sport.
Daughter of a cart-puller father and housemaid mother in Haryana’s Shahabad, Rani knew extreme poverty growing up but her talent and perseverance took her to the pinnacle of sport in India – when she was awarded the Khel Ratna last year, she said she had only one dream: an Olympics medal.
Now the 26-year-old is just one more victory away from achieving her dream.
Rani’s story is not new, for she got into the national team at age 14 and has been around for a long time, but this inspirational story bears retelling.
Sports was her dream and also her route out of poverty, and she defied odds such as lack of gear – playing in salwar-kamiz, for instance – or good shoes to play in or even a proper diet.
She wanted to escape a life that’s norm for a large number of Indians.
“I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained,” Rani said a few years ago.
“My parents tried their best, but there was only so much they could do — papa was a cart-puller and maa worked as a maid.”
The road to Tokyo has been very difficult. When she started out playing hockey, she was told by her parents: ‘Ladkiya ghar ka kaam hi karti hai… Girls only do household work and we won’t allow you to play in skirts.”
Eventually, her family gave in to her pleadings. Since they did not have a clock, Rani’s mother used to stay awake until early morning to be able to wake Rani up for practice.
Probably the best thing that ever happened to her was that she was accepted for training at the Shahabad Hockey Academy. Training under Baldev Singh, a winner of the Dronacharya Award, honed her skills.
She has been a regular in the Indian team after making her debut as a 14-year-old back in 2008, making her the youngest player to play for the national team.
She made her World Cup debut in 2010, at 15, and scored five of India’s seven goals in the competition.
Rani was part of the Indian team which represented India at Rio 2016, the first time the Indian women qualified for the Olympics in 36 years.
She had earned 241 international caps till before the Tokyo Olympics and had scored 117 goals.
Coming to Tokyo, she scored the goal that clinched India’s berth for the Olympics, in the final qualification match against the United States in Bhubaneswar.
In 2017, Rani bought her family a home – just as she had promised. “I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. We cried together and held each other tightly,” she said.
She can fulfil another promise to herself now, of a medal at an Olympics.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Everyday, I'd ask the coach to teach me too. He'd reject me because I was malnourished," said Rani Rampal.
Written by Sanya Jain
Updated: August 02, 2021 1:15 pm IST
Rani Rampal is captain of the Indian women's hockey team.
Rani Rampal, captain of the Indian women's hockey team, has much to celebrate today. The Indian women's hockey team stunned Australia to enter the semi-finals in the Tokyo Olympics - and with this win, Rani Rampal is one step closer to realising her Olympic gold dream. In an interview with Humans of Bombay last week, she had explained how she wants to repay her coach and her family for their support with an Olympic gold medal. "I'm determined to repay them [her family] and coach with something they've always dreamed of- a gold medal from Tokyo," she had said.
Rani Rampal's journey from a child who could not afford a hockey stick to becoming the youngest player in the national women's hockey team to participate in the 2010 World Cup (she qualified when she was only 15), is nothing short of inspirational. The 26-year-old opened up about her journey in the interview with Humans of Bombay.
"I wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained," she said.
Rani Rampal's mother worked as a maid, her father was a cart-puller. There was a hockey academy near their home, and Rani would spend hours watching the teams play, and longing to join them. Her father, who earned around ₹ 80 a day, could not afford to buy her a hockey stick, she recalls.
"Everyday, I'd ask the coach to teach me too. He'd reject me because I was malnourished," said Rani.
Undeterred, she found a broken hockey stick and began practicing on her own. Finally, after a lot of convincing, the coach decided to give her a try - but it wasn't all smooth-sailing from there.
At the academy, all children were expected to bring 500ml of milk every day. "My family could only afford milk worth 200 ml; without telling anyone, I'd mix the milk with water and drink it because I wanted to play," Rani told Humans of Bombay.
Moreover, everyone was expected to start training early in the morning. With no clock at home, her mother would stay up and look at the sky to check if it was the right time to wake Rani up.
But the hockey player found support in her coach too, not just her family. "He'd buy me hockey kits and shoes. He even allowed me to live with his family and took care of my dietary needs. I'd train hard and wouldn't miss a single day of practice," Rani Rampal remembered.
After earning her first salary - ₹ 500 on winning a tournament - Rani handed the money to her father. "He hadn't ever held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, 'One day, we're going to have our own home'; I did everything in my power to work towards that."
After several state championships, Rani Rampal got the national call when she was 15. "With my family's support, I focused on doing my best for India and eventually, I became captain of the Indian hockey team!" she said.
Four years ago, Rani was able to fulfil the promise she had made her family - she bought a house for them. " We cried together and held each other tightly! And I'm not done yet; this year, I'm determined to repay them and Coach with something they've always dreamed of- a gold medal from Tokyo," she concluded.
Rani Rampal's inspiring journey from broken hockey sticks to the Tokyo Olympics has struck a chord with social media users. While her post has racked up thousands of 'likes', the comments section has been flooded with people congratulating and complimenting the athlete.
"Brought tears to my eyes. This woman from Madagascar will be rooting for India's hockey team!" wrote one Facebook user.
12 Comments "As a hockey player myself, I salute you. Your determination and courage in the face of so adversity, is encouraging. I am glad that you are an inspiration," another said.
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