Rani Rampal Announces Retirement, Bids Emotional Farewell to International Hockey

New Delhi: Indian hockey legend Rani Rampal announced her retirement from international hockey in front of an emotional crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday. The veteran forward, who captained the Indian women’s hockey team during some of its most memorable moments, took the opportunity to reflect on her illustrious 16-year career and the significance of retiring at the iconic venue.

Addressing the audience after the second match of the India vs Germany bilateral series, Rani recalled her fondest memory on the field. “My fondest memory is the Tokyo Olympics when we beat Australia in the quarterfinals. That was the first time the women’s team finished in the top four,” Rani shared with IANS, expressing pride in being part of a historic moment for Indian women’s hockey.

The venue for her retirement announcement added a special significance for Rani. “It is truly an honour that my retirement has come at the venue named after our hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. This was the first event being played here in 11 years. The last time I played here was during the 2012 Olympic qualifiers, and I am very happy that I got to announce my retirement here,” she added.

Rani captained the Indian women’s hockey team during the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they made history by finishing fourth—India’s best-ever finish in women’s hockey at the Games. Although the team narrowly missed out on a medal after losing to Great Britain in the bronze medal match, Rani’s leadership was instrumental in elevating the profile of women’s hockey in India.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Hockey India retired her iconic No. 28 jersey in a special ceremony following the India-Germany match. Over the course of her career, Rani played in more than 250 international matches and scored over 100 goals, becoming a pivotal figure in Indian hockey’s resurgence. She led India to silver medals at the 2017 Women’s Asian Cup and the 2018 Asian Games, and served as the flag-bearer during the closing ceremony of the latter.

Rani was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri in 2021, further cementing her legacy as one of the greatest athletes in Indian hockey.

Fighting back tears during her farewell address, Rani said, “I am very emotional. I don’t know where to begin. I thank Hockey India for letting me say my goodbye from the ground. I know all the spectators here are hockey lovers. When I started at the age of 7, maybe some of you saw my journey and gave me love. I thank all of you for coming here.”

Reflecting on her future, Rani remained optimistic: “I consider myself very lucky. This may be the end of one chapter, but it’s the beginning of another.”

Rani Rampal’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women’s hockey, but her legacy and contribution to the sport will continue to inspire future generations of players.