Women hockey players receive grants

BANGALORE: Financial help continues to pour on the country’s women hockey players as the GoSports Foundation on Saturday announced a monthly grant of Rs 4000 each for two members of the national team — Rani Rampal and Savita Poonia.

“The grant, which will award 15-year-old Rani Rampal and 19-year-old Savita Poonia a monthly amount of Rs 4000 each, is a testament to the girls’ perseverance and determination to succeed against all odds,” a release said.

Forward Rampal, daughter of a cart puller, was the top scorer and adjudged the Young Player of the Tournament at the Champion’s Challenge trophy held in Kazan, Russia last year.

The Haryana girl also played a pivotal role in the team winning silver medal at the Asia Cup in last November.

“I am very happy with the good news. It will help me buy better shoes and kit to improve my game. I will also use this assistance for my education,” Rampal said.

Her statemate goalkeeper Poonia said, “I am thrilled to receive this support and fund. It will help me achieve my goals and has created within me an even greater desire to succeed.”

National women’s coach MK Kaushik also hailed the move. “Rani and Savita are young and upcoming players with great skills and great character for the game. They are the future of the country and need to be nurtured well,” he said.

The players will receive the grant money from this month. Women hockey team came in the news recently after a revolt started brewing with the players, camping in Bhopal, rejecting a Rs 50,000 payment offered to them and demanded the same treatment that had been meted out to their male counterparts.

Following that, money started flowing with the state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Assam collectively pledging Rs 2.5 crore for both the male and female players.