Rani Rampal Shares Insights on Mentoring Haryana Soorma, Highlights Pressure on Athletes

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Rani Rampal, former captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey team, has opened up about her experience mentoring sub-junior players and how it has shaped her approach as the mentor and coach of the Haryana Soorma hockey team in the Hockey India League.

"I had a great experience working with the teams at sub-junior levels. I got to learn a lot, and it was easier for me to understand their problems because they came from a similar background like mine. To guide them and make them believe that if I could do it, then you can also do it. They needed guidance, and I just tried to help them in achieving their dreams," Rani shared with PTI.

Rani, who has transitioned from being a star athlete to a mentor and coach, emphasized the importance of mental and emotional support for athletes. "There's a lot of mental and emotional pressure on an athlete's mind, which depends on their performance... I just want to help them and make them understand that one can perform well under pressure as well," she said.

In her new role with the Haryana Soorma hockey team, Rani is focused on providing both strategic coaching and motivational support, helping the players navigate the challenges of high-level competition. She expressed her commitment to doing justice to her role as a mentor, just as she did during her career as an athlete.

Rani's dedication to helping young athletes grow, not only in their skills but also in their ability to handle pressure, reflects her desire to see the next generation of Indian hockey players achieve success at the highest levels.