We Have More Motivation Than Ever to Win the Asian Games: Savita Punia

After a heartbreaking defeat in the 2018 edition’s final, the Indian women’s hockey team is more motivated than ever to win the gold medal in the next Asian Games, according to CWG medalist Savita.

In September and October, Hangzhou is to host the Asian Games.

We came so close to capturing the gold medal at the most recent Asian Games, and it was heartbreaking to lose the final against Japan (1-2) by only one goal. In the most recent episode of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast series started by Hockey India, Savita remarked, “This time we feel that we are more driven than ever before to finish on top.

“Every member of the squad is aware that we need to take home the gold in order to secure direct qualifying for the Olympics in Paris. The FIH Pro League and then Paris 2024 can then be our main priorities after the Asian Games, so this is the best case situation for us.

After becoming the captaincy during the Tokyo Olympics, Savita emphasized that she was enjoying playing both the goalkeeper and the captaincy simultaneously.

“When you are in charge of the team, you have additional responsibilities. Savita, who recently received the coveted Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year (Women), recently said, “Even when I wasn’t the captain, I understood that I had to share the leadership responsibilities and support the team as a goalie.

It was my duty as a more seasoned player to mentor younger, less seasoned colleagues by imparting my knowledge to them.

The renowned goalie said that Indian women’s hockey has advanced rapidly, providing players with financial freedom.

“There has been a significant shift since I joined the squad in 2008, and women’s hockey in this nation is now held in much higher regard than it was before. Women’s hockey is receiving the attention it deserves, whether it’s due to facilities, exposure, or acknowledgment, she added.

“Back when I first began playing hockey, things weren’t all that great, and I had to wait nine years to get employment. Some athletes weren’t even certain they were eating two square meals every day.

“However, the gamers may now construct homes for their family. They are employed regularly. Even the team’s youngest player is financially successful, which proves that the sport is genuinely headed in the right path.