Rani Rampal becomes first Indian woman hockey player to have stadium named after her

ATES POST: The Modern Coach Factory Stadium in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, was renamed as Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf.

The Indian Railways’ Modern Coach Factory Stadium in Raebareli was renamed as Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf after former Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal. She became the first female hockey player from India to have a stadium named after her.

Rani Rampal, a Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awardee, shared pictures from the inauguration ceremony on social media, where she is seen interacting with the players and other staff members.

“Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF ( Modern Coach Factory) Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf to honour my contribution to hockey,” tweeted Rani Rampal, who has two Asian Games medals to her name – a silver at 2018 Jakarta and a bronze at 2014 Incheon.

“It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium to my name. I dedicate this to the Indian women’s hockey team and I hope this inspires the next generation of women hockey players,” the 28-year-old Rani Rampal added.

Rani Rampal has played over 250 international matches for India since making her senior debut in 2009. Rani was part of India’s 2017 Women’s Asian Cup title winning team and led the Indian women’s hockey team to a historic fourth-placed finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

However, Rani has been struggling with injuries since the Summer Games in Japan, which sidelined her from the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2022 and Commonwealth Games 2022 at Birmingham. The star forward made a comeback to the Indian team during the tour of South Africa earlier this year when she was included in a 22-member squad.