2021 Tokyo Olympics | Hockey India names Rani Rampal as skipper of the women's team
Indian forward Rani Rampal has been appointed as the captain of the women's team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, with goalkeeper Savita Punia and Dee[ Grace Ekka named as vice-captains respectively. The Indian eves will begin their Olympics campaign against the Netherlands on July 24.
Hockey India today named veteran striker Rani as the Captain of the 16-member Olympic-bound Indian Women's Hockey Team. Rani is the obvious choice not just for her on-field exploits but also for her innate ability to guide the youngsters in the team.
Under Rani's Captaincy, the Indian team over the past four years have achieved significant results including winning the Asia Cup in 2017, Winning Silver at the Asian Games 2018, Silver at Asian Champions Trophy 2018 as well winning the FIH Series Final in 2019. The team led by Rani also made it to the quarterfinals of the FIH Women's World Cup 2018 in London for the first time. She was the cynosure of India's performance during the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in Bhubaneswar where her goal put the team ahead by 6-5 against USA to secure the qualification.
Hockey India also announced the very dependable defender Deep Grace Ekka and experienced goalkeeper Savita as the two Vice Captains of the Women's Team. Both the players have been in the Indian Core Group for nearly a decade and have been an integral part of the leadership group. They also played a key role in India's feats which saw them attain career-best ranking of World No.9 in 2018 following a strong performance at the FIH Women's World Cup.
Congratulating all three players named for their leadership roles, Indian Women's Team Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, "I congratulate Rani on being named the Captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. I also congratulate Deep Grace Ekka and Savita on being named the Vice Captains of the team. All these three players have been part of the leadership group for a long time and have proven their abilities with this added responsibility and have guided many youngsters in the Core Group. Having two Vice Captains will also strengthen the core leadership group for the future. Their experience and role will be of importance as we aim to achieve good results in Tokyo. It has been a long journey for the team and we continue into a tough challenge at the Olympics. The team needs to be mentally strong and I am confident with these three players at the helm, they are headed in the right direction."
Expressing her gratitude on being named Captain, Rani said, "It is a huge honour to lead the Indian Team at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. In these past years my role as a Captain was made easy with teammates who have shared the responsibilities as senior players. I look forward to this added responsibility and thank Hockey India, Coaching staff and selectors for this honour."
Vice-Captain Deep Grace Ekka too stated that this new responsibility will motivate her to ensure the team does well in Tokyo. "To lead India as Vice-Captain at the Olympics is a huge honour and it will surely motivate me further to do well for the team. We have players from different regions of India in the team, but we have come closer as a unit over these past 15 months during the pandemic which has been challenging for all." stated Grace who will be played her second Olympic Games.
Savita also expressed her gratefulness as she said, "I thank the team's support staff and Hockey India for giving me this responsibility. We are all eagerly awaiting to do well at the Olympics in Tokyo, and it will be great to lead India to good wins."
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