Bhubaneswar: The captain of the Rani Rani Hoki team rampal on Tuesday praised the Odisha government’s efforts to promote hockey and said other countries must do the same.
“The Chairperson of Minister of Naveen Patnaik has given an example for other countries by supporting the national hockey team.
Such support gives us encouragement.
This is not just about hockey.
He has taken various initiatives for the development of other sports too.
I think every state must support One game respectively, “Rani said during media interactions here.
Rani and team members here for the criminal program by the Odisha government to finish the best place in the Tokyo Olympics that have recently concluded, “We have three big events next year which includes the Commonwealth, Asian Games and World Cup.
All Three tournaments are important to us.
We will try to perform well and win medals.
“On the performance in Tokyo, where the team had lost the first three matches before raising the game to reach the semifinals, said Rani regardless of the initial defeat, the team had performed well.
“After we lost three first matches, everyone thought that the woman’s team would fall from the tournament.
But our coaching staff helped us and we told themselves that there were still two more matches, and the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals.
Because we can’t Changing what happens in the past, we focus on our work and make qualifications for our goal quarter, “Rani said.
When asked about coach Sjoerd Marijne’s decision to stop, the captain said the whole team respected the decision because he had decided to devote time for his family.
“He has worked a lot in the last five years to improve the performance of the team and everyone has seen it.
We will miss him.
We have greetings for him.
Janneke Schopman (former Dutch Hockey player) will take over as head coach,” he said.
In the difference between Indian and foreign coaches, Rani said it was difficult to compare.
“Every coach has his own style.
The Indian coach is also very good we have seen in the past,” he added.
Rani also praised Odisha’s hockey fans for their support.
“Many of them come to the stadium to entertain India and other teams.
When we play here we feel as if we play with the 12th player and it gives us extra energy,” Rani said.
Asked about the development of hockey, goalkeeper and senior player Savita Punia said work needed to be done at the grassroots level.
“Even though we missed a medal, we touched people’s hearts.
If we compare our appearance in Rio and Olympics recently, we can feel the difference,” Savita said.