It was a proud moment for India when the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey team won the first-ever bronze at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Junior World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany. They were felicitated in the national capital on Wednesday and will join the camp on August 14 for the Asian Cup. The four hockey players, including captain Sushila Chanu, who were part of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bhopal and Gwalior, will meet CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on August 11 in Bhopal.

WE HAVE MANY GIRLS FROM MP IN THE TEAM

Captain Sushila Chanu, who lived in Gwalior for four years, says, “Main Gwalior academy mein thi and I have lived there for four years. We have many girls from Madhya Pradesh in the team.” Originally from Manipur, Sushila continues in her broken Hindi, “Main Gwalior mein reh kar mushkil se Hindi seekhi hoon. I can’t speak fluent Hindi, and during these interviews I don’t know how and what to speak.” When the hockey team won the match against England, the nation rejoiced the Chak De moment. But the captain adds, “Uss film mein toh kaafi kam dikhaya gaya tha. They would take many breaks. We did not take any break. We put in a lot more hard work than what was shown in the movie. Lekin ek baat hai… main uss movie ko dekh ke bahut roti hoon.” She will be joining the camp on August 14, but till then she is not going to touch her hockey stick. “Camp toh hum log August 14 ko join kar rahe hain. Bahut kam din ka break hai. And I’m not going to touch my stick during this break,” explains Sushila, who has also got a job in the Bombay Central Railway.

More artificial-grass grounds needed in Bhopal

Another player, Ritusha Kumari Arya, who is originally from Uttar Pradesh and has lived in Bhopal, says, “Getting into the SAI, Bhopal, was my life’s biggest achievement till the World Cup happened. I came to Bhopal a few years ago.” Determined to bring the cup home, Arya, adds, “It was a do-or-die situation for us. We gave our 110%. It is great to be the part of history. My parents are happier than me and they have planned a lot of things for me.” But she is not happy with the limited number of hockey grounds in Madhya Pradesh. Arya says, “Itne bade Bhopal mein sirf teen-char hi grounds hain. Ab grass hockey kam hoti jaa rahi hai and we need more AstroTurf (artificial grass) grounds.” Arya also listens to Chak De… India songs for inspiration. She says, “While going in the bus for practice sessions, we would listen to the songs of Chak De…India. It’s very inspiring and everyone’s playlist would have the same song.”

MP supports hockey players

Lily Chanu, who is originally from Manipur, but has been playing from Madhya Pradesh from the last three years, adds, “The first time I came to Madhya Pradesh was during the junior nationals. Paramjeet sir (one of the coaches) saw my performance and asked me to give the trial. I gave and I got selected in the Gwalior academy. MP has supported a lot. Bahut saare achhe players aaye hain MP se.”