Rani Rampal Rings Warning Bells For Indian Olympic Athletes, 'Since Cricket Has Been Included...'

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 19:18 IST

Rani Rampal urges focus on progress and grassroots for the India women's hockey team amid transition, hoping for Asia Cup and World Cup success.

Former Indian captain Rani Rampal (PTI)

Former India captain Rani Rampal on Friday expressed her support for the current women’s hockey team, which is going through a transition phase. She emphasized that the focus should be not just on winning medals but also on the team’s progress.

Rampal acknowledged the national team’s history of ups and downs and expressed hope that the team would win the ongoing Asia Cup in China and qualify for the World Cup next year.

“Consistent performance is the most important thing. I hope the team wins the Asia Cup and qualifies for the World Cup," Rampal said at the ‘Playcom Business of Sports Summit’.

“Transition phases are always challenging, and we often talk about medals but not progress. We need to give much more attention to grassroots development," she added.

Following the high of finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, India failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the team is now in a rebuilding phase with players like Rampal and Vandana Katariya having retired.

Rampal recalled the Indian women’s hockey team’s remarkable turnaround at the Tokyo Olympics. After losing their first three games and being written off, their self-belief led them to win the next two matches and then defeat the formidable Australia in the quarterfinals.

That performance, she noted, marked a “real change" as the entire country tuned in to watch hockey.

“After losing our first three games, everyone lost hope in us. But we believed, won the next two, and then defeated Australia. The whole country was watching hockey-that was the real change."

How Cricket Can Harm Other Athletes?

She felt that the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (in T20 format) could make it harder for athletes from other sports to attract sponsors.

“I feel it will now become more difficult for athletes to attract sponsors since cricket has been included in the Olympics," she said.

However, she expressed confidence in the loyalty of Indian fans, adding, “But I firmly believe our fans will continue supporting non-cricket sports. We must ensure that cricket’s presence doesn’t overshadow other sports."

Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu shared her thoughts, saying, “Reaching the Olympics from championships is never easy. The determination to win a medal for India is always there."

She noted that medals remain her biggest motivation.

“Every time we win, we immediately plan the next step and set new targets. That keeps us moving forward."

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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News sports Rani Rampal Rings Warning Bells For Indian Olympic Athletes, 'Since Cricket Has Been Included...'

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