On Thursday evening, rumours began doing the rounds on social media about the playing status of former India hockey captain Rani Rampal.
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With Rampal's exclusion from a national team camp in April and May and the subsequent tour of Australia, many began to wonder whether the hockey ace had finally retired but not yet made the news public.
Has Rani Rampal retired?
Rampal spoke at a press conference to confirm that she had not retired, insisting that her national team career is well and truly alive. Her last game in an India shirt was at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
As reported by the Indian Express, she said she had not received an explanation for why she had lost her place.
"Whatever happened with me in the last two years wasn’t right. I came back from an injury, was the top scorer at the National Games but wasn’t picked. The best person who can answer this is the Chief Coach or the selectors because I don’t know the answer.
"I am not retiring since I know I still have more to give to the sport as a player. I have this thing in me to not give up. If I had to, I’d have given up after the Olympics.”
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What next for Rani Rampal?
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey was also at the press conference, saying that there was only so much that was in his hands. He also added that Rampal had accepted a role as the new coach of the Indian women's sub-junior team.
Hockey India today announced a special coaching camp and international matches for the Indian Sub-Junior Men’s and Women’s Team. The camp will see former Indian Hockey Captain Sardar Singh, and former India Women's Captain Rani taking up the mentorship and Coach's role.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 10, 2023
The… pic.twitter.com/71RvN7lBao
The ex-captain is still only 28 years old, and nowhere near retirement age.
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