Shahbad hockey girls make it happen with bronze finish at Junior Women's World Cup

Rani Rampal

Chandigarh, Aug 5 (IANS) Haryana’s Shahbad town is no longer known only for foodgrain. The triumph of girls from this small town in the international hockey arena has brought it global recognition. On Sunday too, girls from this town were instrumental in their team getting a historic bronze medal in the junior women’s World Cup in Germany.

Five girls from the Shahbad Hockey Academy were part of the 16-member Indian squad.

Of them, two – Rani Rampal and Navneet Kaur – led from the front to ensure a podium finish for their team.

Vice captain Rani scored the team’s solitary goal in regulation time of the bronze clash with Englande. Both teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of stipulated time. Rani scored twice again when the match went into the penalty shootout.

Her team-mate Navneet missed one penalty stroke but recovered in time to score with her second chance and give India a 3-2 victory over England.

“We are proud of the girls here. Their victory has given women hockey its golden moment. They worked very hard for it,” coach Baldev Singh said in Shahbad, 65 km from Chandigarh.

The other players from this town were Manjit Kaur, Navjot and Monika.

Family members and friends were excited that girls from the town had brought laurels by winning the bronze.

“We will give them a big reception when they return. They have done us proud,” local resident Babita Rani said.