Young hockey player bears hardship in the absence of financial support

KURUKSHETRA: Rani Rampal, 16, who holds the record of being the youngest player to be a part of the Indian hockey team, may have earned laurels for the nation during the last two years but her financial position is something which is nothing to boast about.

With a humble background her father Rampal runs a cart in Shahbad, Rani is at present getting a scholarship of Rs 4,000 per month from Go Sports Foundation, Bangalore. Though Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal had announced to give a grant of Rs 10,000 per month to every unemployed player of the Indian team till he or she gets a job, Rani is yet to get anything from him. She said that she had received Rs 2 lakh twice from the Haryana CM as a token for participating in the Commonwealth Games.

Shahbad Markanda, a sleepy town situated 20 km from Kurukshetra on GT Road, is famous for producing several women hockey players for the national hockey team, but Rani had the distinction of being the youngest, at the age of 14 years. Today, at 16, she has already played more than 70 international matches, establishing records with her determination and strength.

Rani was also selected for the World All Star and Asian All Star team at the young age of 16. She also came out as the best scorer during the World Cup.

Rani attributed all her success to the guidance and training by her coach, Baldev Singh. She said that hockey is life for her and she plays for the love of the game and not for creating records. It is an honour to represent the country and Im happy to be there at a young age, she said.

But despite the name and recognition, she has not been offered a decent job so far. Her coach, Baldev Singh, said: Though the railways have offered the job of a clerk after relaxing the age limit to Rani, she deserves a better job from the state government. She wants to play for her state and Haryana must not afford to lose a young talent.