Peddem sports stadium

Peddem Sports Stadium: Former Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal has said she had a special connection with the National Games as it was her performance in these games that earned her a spot in the national camp.

Rani, who holds the record of being the youngest women’s hockey player to debut for the Indian senior team, was first scouted for the national team back in 2007 when she was just 14 years old in the Games held at Guwahati, Assam, and her career was fast-tracked thereafter. The 28-year-old has since played more than 250 matches for India and scored over 120 goals during her illustrious career.

But the National Games platform still holds a special place in Rani’s life and the former India skipper and now the coach of India’s U-17 team is in Goa to lead defending champions Haryana in the 37th edition of the Games.