Eager to impress, Deepika reflects on winning HI Upcoming Player of the Year award

NEW DELHI: Considered to be one of the brightest and most dynamic youngsters in the set-up, Deepika, who was recently awarded the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21), is keen to leave her mark at the highest level.

The 21-year-old, who hails from Hisar, was also the recipient of a cash prize worth Rs 10,00,000 from Hockey India. A forward who knows her way to goal, Deepika was elated to be recognised for her efforts.

“Winning the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) is a big milestone in my career. Recognition of this kind is very encouraging for young players like me, and it will motivate us to work harder whenever we take the field. This award is not just mine – everyone involved in my journey, who have supported me so far played a role in reaching here, and I am truly grateful for this support system,” she said in a Hockey India release.

Winning the accolade was an emotional milestone for Deepika, as it came in the same year her idol, Savita, was honoured with the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women).

Reflecting on her admiration for Savita, Deepika shared, “At a very young age, before I even knew sports could be a profession, I would rush to Hisar training centre to celebrate whenever the Indian women’s team returned from an international tournament. Clapping for the players and garlanding stars like Savita, whom I adored, were the most precious moments of my life.”

She further revealed that after meeting Savita, she wouldn’t let her hockey stick out of sight, often sleeping with it, dreaming of donning the Indian jersey one day. Now that she has achieved that dream, her next big goal is a podium finish at the World Cup and securing India’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s hockey. IANS

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