Amstelveen, There was a time when Savita Punia needed her mother to stand at the doorstep whenever she would step out of the house, too hesitant to speak to seniors in the Indian hockey team, and uncomfortable facing the camera.
The 36-year-old Savita, who is the most experienced player in the FIH World Cup with 317 caps, is only four matches away from breaking the Indian record for playing most matches , currently held by the veteran goalkeeper Vandana Katariya.
I’ve learned to speak while playing hockey.” she told PTI in an exclusive interview. Indian goalkeepers Savita and Bichoo Devi are receiving considerable praise at this World Cup, but the former said that it was not the case in the past. When asked about her role in the team, she said that the focus is on keeping the atmosphere positive. Navneet, Neha, Salima, Sushila, Lalremsiami, all the senior players are working towards it and we always talk about taking this team one step further.” she said. That inspired us, and if we play to our strengths, we can move one step forward,” said the second female hockey player to be awarded the Padma Shri. When asked about the future, Savita said that her current goals are the World Cup and the Asian Games, and she is not thinking beyond that.
My confidence has grown significantly. “The status that goalkeepers have achieved in India wasn’t easy. There was a mindset that if someone was unfit, slow, or not healthy, they would be made the goalkeeper. Now, times have changed. “As seniors, our focus is on maintaining a good team atmosphere. The players listen to me, and I feel happy when something good comes out of it.
Previously, people would only ask after matches who scored the goals, not who saved them. “Since then, we have worked hard individually and as a team. “When I started playing, I couldn’t talk to my seniors much beyond saying ‘good morning’, but today I’m a team mentor.
