like the women’s hockey which has struggled its way for decades to find its pride of place, the 22- year -old, hailing from Roshnabad village, has also fought her way to the top, dazzling her stick amidst immense challenges confronting her. On her return from New Delhi on Shatabdi Express, captain of the Indian women hockey team Vandana Kataria was given a rousing welcome by many, including her near ones, district sports officials and some leaders on Wednesday. Even the porters at Haridwar railway station welcomed the daughter of the State warmly.
A few steps away from winning the championship, Vandana led the Indian women hockey team in Rio Olympics.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Vandana said, “For the first time, our hockey team played so well in the Olympic and Asian Games. We could not succeed in Rio Olympics but our goal in future would be to win every championship. We are proud that we represented the country in the Olympics. I really owe my success to my parents and the villagers.”
She further said that she was working hard to win next time. “ I am going to my camp in Bhopal on December 6,” she said, adding that basic facilities like proper grounds and gyms are badly needed for the success of the women hockey players of India.
Notably, Vandana’s father, Neher Singh who is a retired BHEl employee was a local wrestler at an 'akhaada' (wrestling arena). Being a sports enthusiast, he pushed his children to excel in the fields they chose, especially the girls who are otherwise discouraged in traditional sports.
This youngster made her junior international debut in the year 2006. Four years later, she cut her teeth in international hockey. Meeting her first success in 2013 as the country’s top goal-scorer and helping India bag a coveted bronze medal in the Junior Women’ World Cup in Germany, Vandana became the third highest goal-scorer of the tournament. She was called for the senior national camp in 2007 and since then there was no looking back.
Her neighbours say that Vandana was from a village shorn of facilities. But she had never grumbled, they said.