NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former India girls’s hockey captain Rani Rampal for her contributions to the game. Rani introduced her retirement on Thursday, concluding a 16-year profession in hockey. She rose to prominence from a small city in Haryana and have become some of the embellished hockey gamers in India.
The 29-year-old led the ladies’s staff to realize their best-ever end on the Olympics, securing fourth place on the 2021 Tokyo Video games.
“In Indian girls’s hockey your quantity 28 jersey was synonymous with unmatched ability and unstoppable targets. Whereas it will not be seen on the sector once more, the reminiscences that you simply gave us as one of many nation’s most embellished gamers will at all times be cherished,” Modi wrote in his letter to Rani, posted on social media by Hockey India.
“Being one of many youngest gamers to ever play the sport, you introduced a brand new vitality to the staff once you made your debut. Since then, as a ahead, you’ve gotten pierced by way of defences, outsmarted goalkeepers and scored over 200 targets with scientific precision,” the PM added.
Rani made her worldwide debut in 2008 as a 14-year-old within the Olympic qualifiers that 12 months, and scored 205 targets in her 254 outings for India.
She was honoured with the Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020 and was additionally a recipient of the Padma Shri, the nation’s fourth highest civilian award, in the identical 12 months.
“The best way your efficiency performed an important function in India’s victories in a number of Asia Cup editions, your ‘greatest younger participant’ and ‘participant of the event’ performances at numerous worldwide tournaments, the medal in 2018 Asian Video games — these are just some examples of the fantastic reminiscences that you’ve given to lovers of hockey,” stated Modi.
The PM particularly appreciated her efficiency on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which he stated had left a long-lasting legacy.
“As a captain, having led India with exceptional dedication on the most important levels, you allow behind an excellent legacy of many medals and reminiscences. Your sport and management on the Tokyo Olympics are significantly remembered by every one. The staff’s spirited run on the event enthused followers and the youthful technology of gamers.”
Rani was just lately roped in because the nationwide coach for sub-junior girls gamers.
“It’s heartening to see that you will keep near the sport, taking over the function of a mentor for future gamers. This new chapter is a incredible alternative for them to be taught from among the finest within the sport,” the PM added.
