Vandana Katariya Impact: Young girls are wielding hockey sticks in Roshnabad

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India's star hockey player Vandana Kataria, fondly known as "Didi" to several youngsters in Roshnabad on the outskirts of the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand has been hugely responsible for the surge in hockey particularly among girls in the region.

The hockey competition in Roshnabad's stadium during next month's National Games in Uttarakhand is expected to further give fillip to hockey in the region.

"Impressed by Vandana's performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021 in Japan, a flock of young girls wielding hockey sticks were seen in Roshnabad," Azad Khan secretary of district hockey unit said.

"The region is fast emerging as an epic centre for female hockey players in the state'', Khan added.

Vandana mesmerised rival teams with her skills at the pandemic delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She was instrumental in India's win against South Africa in the quarterfinal match. India eventually finished fourth.

Post Tokyo Olympic Games, the state government honoured Vandana, Arjuna Awardee with cash incentive and named the local hockey stadium in Roshnabad having synthetic turf as Vandana Kataria Hockey Stadium.

Her family had in fact been instrumental in sowing the seeds of hockey in this rural part of Northern India.

Vandana's elder sister Reena, a national level player also guides youngsters to play hockey and regularly organise coaching camps. "At least five teenage girls from our joint family are regular in the state hockey team and one of them (Gungun) have been shortlisted for the national junior camp," Reena added.

Kataria's joint family has more than 50 girls playing hockey. "When Vandana is back home she often gives playing kits to school going hockey players," Vandana's elder sister Reena added. "She also organizes hockey tournaments to encourage youngsters to take up hockey."

Pankaj Kataria, Vandana's elder brother told myKhel that his younger sister is a role model to several young girls. "They all look forward to interacting with her. They also want to emulate her and wear a similar playing jersey like Vandana," Pankaj said.

Vandana, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters, started playing hockey in early 2000 and joined Lucknow's sports hostel in 2005, which further polished her skills. While her elder sister Reena joined Gwalior sports hostel in 2007, but couldn't represent the country like her younger sister (Vandana). While Vandana still plays at the national level her elder sister only plays for her departmental matches.

"It was challenging for our parents to support us but they did their best in the given situation," Reena added. "But these days facilities are far better than we had in our formative years."

Based out of Rishikesh, some 15km from Haridwar, Reena devotes her leisure hours to guide school going students in the age group of seven to 16 to play hockey. "There is a good response to hockey as local enthusiasts have joined hands and are supporting players with hockey equipment," Reena revealed.