Azad singh

Hockey India Junior Women National: Annu, the dynamic forward of the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team, shared insights into her journey from the quaint village of Rojkhera near Jind, Haryana, to the national team in a heartfelt conversation on Monday. She also credited Rani, former Indian Captain, and her father, Rajpal, with propelling her hockey career to new heights.

Annu hopes to not only make her mentors proud but also contribute to the nation's glory on the international stage as she prepares to compete in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2023.

"My father was adamant from the start that I play a sport professionally. I used to play Kho Kho, but when I joined a sports academy in Sirsa in 2011, I was forced to choose between Judo and Hockey. To pique my interest in the sport, my father told me stories about former India Captain Rani, who is also from Haryana. 'I was very moved by the example she set after hearing about her from my father', and it has motivated me during difficult times ever since," Annu said of Rani's influence on her life.