There Are Many Unfit Players In Asian Games-Bound Indian Women's Hockey Team, Claims Rani Rampal

Indian women's hockey legend Rani Rampal has claimed that there are many unfit players in the team picked for the Asian Games, and asserted that she is in no mood to retire. As per the provisional squad issued by Hockey India, Rani is not part of the Hangzhou-bound team despite making a strong comeback from a hamstring injury after the Tokyo Olympics, where the Indian women recorded their best-ever performance by finishing fourth under her leadership. On return, Rani emerged as the top-scorer in the last National Games in Gujarat, scoring 18 goals in Haryana's triumphant campaign.

Despite the snub, Rani doesn't have any regrets and said the sport has given her everything in life.

"I am in that stage of life where I don't have to prove anything. I have achieved almost everything in life through hockey but still I felt the National Games was a chance for me to make a comeback.

"I tried and it happened, I played in the National Games, became the top-scorer but still I was not considered. So there was no performance issue," Rani told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"I had performance, fitness, everything, but somewhere, someone was not secured with me, be it players or coaches. There might be some jealousy. But I believe in doing my work.

"I know I am not there in the Asian Games team, there are plenty of players in the squad who are unfit, and I don't want to take their names but still they are going for the Asian Games. Fine, it's coach's choice, but hockey gave me a lot in life," she added.

Recollecting her journey after the Tokyo Olympics high, Rani said it was the toughest time of her career.

"The journey after Olympics was really difficult for me. I think it was the toughest time of my career. I have seen a lot of pain