Canadian midfielder Hannah Haughn sticks to her first love

Ritu Sejwal, TNN

NEW DELHI: It was love at first sight for Canadian midfielder Hannah Haughn. She went to watch a friend play an indoor hockey match. Then six years old, Hannah knew this was it – she wanted to play hockey like her friend. On her way back, Hannah found a broken hockey stick in the garbage and she grabbed it instantly.

“I just loved the game and wanted to be like them. I was so happy to find the broken stick that day. I used duck tape to mend the stick. At first I began to play for junior clubs. At 11, I was selected to play for the Vancouver club, and from there I just progressed,” smiled Hannah, talking about it all as if it was just yesterday.

Hannah was selected for Canada’s national team last year and the 17-year-old already has 23 caps to her name. Hannah has already travelled to five continents and has lived in three countries – Canada, Germany and Australia. “My parents are professors in biology so every three years they have to travel,” she added.

Hockey is not the only sport Hannah is good at. While in Australia, she was selected for the gymnastics training camp for 2012 Olympics. “I went for a gymnastics camp in 2003, and that happened to be a national selection camp,” she said.

But, Hannah chose her first love, hockey. And she has no regrets.

India beat Canada 5-2 in practice match

Indian women overcame a sluggish start against the physically stronger Canadian team to win the practice match 5-2 at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Canada surprised the hosts with the pace of their game to go 1-0 up in the first few minutes. But the Indians soon adjusted, raised the tempo of the game and then cruised. The Indian converted three penalty corners — Jasjeet Kaur Handa, Joydeep Kaur — and scored two field goals (Anuradha Devi Thokchom and Jasjeet) in the victory.

“It was a convincing win. Yes, we were sluggish initially but started dominating in later in the game,” India’s coach C R Kumar said.

Asunta Lakra, captain of the Indian team, felt the practice match will help the team strategise better. “We got to know how they attack and defend. We will plan accordingly and try not to play to their strength areas,” Lakra said.