'We've gained a lot of confidence post winning Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2023,' says captain Preeti

She will be leading India in the upcoming FIH women’s junior world cup.

India will kick off their campaign in Chile on November 29th against Canada and aim for a strong start in the In the FIH Hockey Womens Junior World Cup 2023. In the landmark 50th episode of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast series launched by Hockey India, Preeti, who led India to a Gold medal at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup earlier this year, shared insights into the team’s preparations for the tournament.

“We’re all thrilled to compete in the tournament. Since our title win at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, we’ve gained a lot of confidence and aim to maintain that momentum. Under Coach Tushar Khandekar, we’ve had excellent training sessions. In a short time, we’ve had crucial discussions about our team’s structure, skill improvements, and focused on key areas of development.”

India secured a Gold medal by defeating Korea 2-1 in the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in June, securing their place in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023. Preeti highlighted the team’s aspiration to bring home laurels from this prestigious tournament, as India hasn’t secured a medal since their Bronze win in 2013.

“After successful campaigns at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, hockey is regaining prominence in the country. Hockey India’s emphasis on grassroots player development and attention to junior teams has lifted our spirits. There’s an expectation for us to win a medal in Chile, and we’re dedicated to meeting those expectations,” Preeti said.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team finished fourth at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2021, losing 2-2 (0-3 SO) against England in a thrilling Bronze medal match. Reflecting on her experience, Preeti spoke about her learnings from the tournament held in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

“I was quite young back then and played only one match. We learned that maintaining focus until the final whistle is crucial. In the past, losing concentration in the final minutes affected our results. This year, we’ve realized the importance of sustaining intensity until the game concludes.”

Hailing from Sonipat, Haryana, Preeti discovered her interest in hockey during 6th grade, seeking an opportunity to spend time with friends away from home restrictions. Initially training at Pritam Siwach’s Academy in Sonipat, she recognized the need for dedicated effort to progress in the sport. Despite facing family constraints, she persisted by leaving home quietly, often stating she was going to study to continue training. “Time at the training grounds made any scolding at home bearable,” she reminisced.

Early on, Preeti received substantial support from her father, a former wrestler whose career ended due to an injury. At 13, she encountered a leg injury during a district-level match, leading to surgery and a year-long bed rest. Doctors doubted her return to hockey, but her father’s encouragement and her coach’s support helped her persevere.

“It was a tough period, and I felt disheartened. My father never revealed the doubts raised by doctors, encouraging me to pursue hockey if I desired. Support from my coach also fueled my return to the sport, prompting me to take it more seriously in 8th or 9th grade,” she shared.

Now an integral part of the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team, Preeti has earned 14 international caps. She also competed for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team at the Hero FIH Hockey 5s Lausanne 2022.

“I’m proud of my achievements, having proved doubters wrong. Women can achieve remarkable feats in sports, and I aspire to set an example so that others don’t face similar obstacles,” Preeti expressed.

As the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team prepares for their challenging stint in Chile, Preeti hopes for continued support from Indian fans, believing it will bolster their motivation during the tournament.

“To our Indian fans, your unwavering support, as seen during the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, makes us feel part of a larger family and bolsters our confidence,” she concluded.

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