UNI
Buenos Aires
The Indian women’s hockey team skipper Rani feels the tour of Argentina will be a good test for her side and it will help them understand where they stand in terms of preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.
The women’s side will become the first of India’s hockey teams to resume international matches since the outbreak of the pandemic as it plays the first of the eight games during the tour of Argentina, starting Sunday.
‘’It has been a strange period for sports people around the world, but to be resuming doing what we love the most, it is the best feeling.
We are looking forward to testing ourselves against some strong teams, and also understanding where we stand at the moment,’’ said Rani. Rani reiterated that a good show in the series will boost her side’s confidence heading into this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
“I think this tour is really important for us in terms of resuming competitive hockey. We have a crucial year to look forward to, and with such matches against strong sides, we will be able to keep working hard towards our goal of preparing well for the Tokyo Olympics,” the skipper said.
Having been awarded with the prestigious Khel Ratna Award in the past year, Rani also added that she intends to keep working hard for the nation, and hopes to start this important year on a positive note.
“As they say, sport can bring a lot of joy to people across various spheres of life, and for me and my team, that puts a responsibility on our shoulders. We know what our aim is this year, and we want to make sure that we start the year in the perfect manner, put in some excellent performances, and build some momentum again,” expressed the 26-year-old. However, the experienced forward understands that it will take time to get into the groove after staying away from competitions for nearly a year.
“We also understand and take into consideration that we haven’t played an international match with the maximum intensity in these past 9-10 months, and that we might take time to get back into our groove, and that is what this tour is all about,” stated Rani, whose team faces the Argentine Junior Women’s Hockey Team on Sunday evening in the capital city.