Young defender Ropni Kumari relishes training camp with senior Indian women's hockey team
(Courtesy : Hockey India)
Ropni Kumari was a part of the gold medal-winning Indian hockey team at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023
Ropni Kumari, Indian Women’s Hockey Team defender, looked back on the previous year and explained how consistent opportunities to play with the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team have contributed to her development. The 19-year-old was part of the team that claimed the Gold medal at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 and also travelled with the team to Dusseldorf, Germany for the 2023 4 Nations Junior Women’s Invitational Tournament. Ropni Kumari was also a key player for the side at the 2023 FIH Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile and played in all six games.
“It was a good year for me as I was able to earn consistent opportunities with the team and was able to improve as a player. I am thankful to the support staff and the coaches for backing me and also to my teammates for allowing me to express myself. Winning the Gold medal at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup remains one of my favourite memories,” Ropni Kumari said.
Ropni Kumari was recently named among the 33-member National Women’s Team Core group that is training at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru which will run till 16th May. She was among the players that were selected from the 60-member assessment squad that reported to camp on 1st April, after the selection trials that were held on 6th and 7th April.
Speaking on her experiences of training with the Senior Team, Ropni Kumari said, “It has been a fantastic experience for me as I can rub shoulders with the best players. They are constantly giving us proper guidance and ensuring we feel comfortable at all times.”
Trending Indian Sports articles
- Which Indian Shuttlers are in race to qualify for Paris Olympics after March 2024?
- Top 10 most followed sports in India in 2024
- Can Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya still qualify for Paris Olympics 2024?
- Can Indian boxers still qualify for Paris Olympics 2024 after disappointment at 1st World boxing Qualifiers?
- List of Indian athletes to have secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
On being asked about what advice she has received from the senior players, Ropni elaborated, “They are constantly advising us on how to deal with pressure and how to remain calm during tough games. It has been one of the key aspects where I feel I can improve. It has been quite a learning experience for me, and I feel it will help in increasing the rate of my growth.
Ropni, now, is looking to work even harder to make her debut for the Senior Team and is hoping she gets a chance to showcase her talent against the top competitors. “It is everyone’s dream to represent the country, and as a team, we are quite focused this year on our growth. I am looking forward to working even harder so that I am ready whenever my name is called up to be a part of the senior team squad. I hope to compete against the best teams as it will also help me in understanding the level of hockey that is played at this level,” she signed off.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Latest News
- India announces junior men's hockey team for Europe Tour 2024
- FIH Pro League 2023-24: Hockey India announces 24-member team for Belgium & England legs
- National Women’s Hockey League 2024-2025: Haryana outplays Manipur, Maharashtra stuns Mizoram
- Indian Sports Calendar May 2024: Major events to look forward to this month
- National Women's Hockey League 2024-25 kicks off in Ranchi
Editor Picks
- Indian Sports Calendar May 2024: Major events to look forward to this month
- List of Indian athletes who have already secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
- India vs Australia, Hockey Test Series 2024: Updated schedule, squad, fixtures, results, live-streaming details
- Harendra Singh to be appointed new Indian women's hockey team coach: Report
- Women's FIH Pro League 2023-24: Top 10 players with most goals