It took 13 years for Indian Women Hockey team to break the jinx and score a historic win over China 5-4 in a nail-biting finish to lift the Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup next year.
Recalling the glorious moments in a conversation with The Hindu here, Etimarpu Rajani, member of the Indian hockey team says trouncing defending champion Japan in the semis provided the much needed tempo to outwit China.
“Hard work paid dividends. Our coach Harendra Singh sir helped us perform to our full potential,” Rajani adds, reminiscing the win against our eastern neighbour.
Bubbling with confidence, the 27-year-old says, “we will go all out to bag gold in the Jakarta Palembang Asian games and prove our mettle in the quadrennial event as well.”
She plans to meet the Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu shortly who, she says, always gives big support for sportspersons
Rajani, the second goalkeeper of the team has over 50 international caps to her credit which includes her participation in the 2014–15 Women’s FIH Hockey World League and Rio Olympic Games to which India qualified after a gap of 36 years.
She was felicitated at a function got up here on Sunday by National BC Employees Association President and Viswabrahamana Joint Action Committee Chairman Pavaluri Hanumantha Rao.
Rajani, the daughter of a carpenter from a nondescript Yerraaripalem village, near Tirupati also nurtures a goal of starting an academy to spot talented boys and girls especially from rural Andhra Pradesh and hone their skills, after playing for the country for another four or five years.
She took to playing the game in 2005 when her school Physical Education Teacher Venkat Raja spotted talent in her and her skills were honed further by hockey coach Ismail.
