Hockey Jharkhand clinched their third straight title at the Sub Junior Women’s National Championship by defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in the final. Sandeepa Kumari, a standout player for Jharkhand, shared insights into the team’s performance, mentioning their rigorous 15-day training regimen before the tournament.
Sandeepa, the top scorer for Jharkhand with five goals, was motivated to pursue hockey in 2021 by her sister, Sangita Kumari, a forward in the women’s team. She emphasized her sister’s advice to play with passion, maintain focus, trust her abilities, and strive to score goals to impact the team positively.
Acknowledging the significance of the tournament, supported by Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, Sandeepa expressed gratitude for the platform it provides young players like her to showcase their skills and progress in the sport. She credited the Anandana Foundation for empowering women’s hockey and inspiring players to excel and set higher goals.
Reflecting on the team’s dedication and preparation, Sandeepa highlighted their unwavering commitment during the 15-day training period leading up to the championship. Their collective goal was clear – reclaiming the championship title, and they poured their efforts into achieving it.
Regarding her personal performance, Sandeepa mentioned her focused efforts on improving her scoring abilities and capitalizing on opportunities. She attributed her success to diligent practice with her coach, enabling her to execute her skills effectively during matches.
Recalling the intensity of the final match, Sandeepa commended her team’s resilience. Despite conceding a goal, they maintained their belief, displayed unwavering determination, and continued to push forward until securing the victory.
