Ajmina Kujur: My Journey to Honor My Father in Hockey

Perth, April 22 (NationPress) The 23-year-old Ajmina Kujur is on the brink of her much-anticipated debut with the senior Indian team, having earned a spot in the squad for the upcoming five-match series against Australia.

India is scheduled to compete in two matches against Australia A on April 26 and 27, followed by three critical matches against the senior Australian team on May 1, 3, and 4 at the Perth Hockey Stadium.

Upon her arrival in Australia, Ajmina expressed, "I am thankful for this opportunity and I aim to give my 100 percent. Two years ago, I was in the senior team camp but didn’t make the final roster. Now that this chance has come, I will ensure to seize it fully."

Ajmina has been honing her skills at the senior national camp in SAI, Bengaluru, since March 23 in preparation for this tour. Reflecting on her experience with senior players, she stated, "Training with the seniors has been an enriching experience. I am gaining valuable insights and I'm looking forward to playing alongside them. We have had a great time training together, and now it’s our turn to perform against Australia."

"The senior players have been incredibly supportive, especially Sushila (Chanu) di, who has guided me throughout the camp. She has been correcting my mistakes and teaching me how to play to my strengths. I used to overthink my errors, but with their assistance, I have become much more confident," she added.

Earlier this year, Ajmina played a pivotal role in the Hero Hockey India League (Women), participating in all seven matches for the runner-up JSW Soorma Hockey Club.

She also featured in the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025 representing the Hockey Association of Odisha. Although the team was eliminated in the pool stage of Division A, Ajmina showcased exceptional talent in the midfield.

When asked about her recent form, Ajmina responded, "I have been placing a greater emphasis on my fitness, which I believe is significantly enhancing my performance."

While this marks her first appearance with the Indian senior team in field hockey, Ajmina is no stranger to international representation. In 2024, she was part of India’s Hockey 5s team that reached the final of the FIH Women's Hockey 5s World Cup.

Although the team fell short against the Netherlands 2-7 in the final, India had an impressive run, defeating Poland, Namibia, the USA, New Zealand, and South Africa to reach the final. Ajmina contributed three goals during the tournament.

Reflecting on her experience, Ajmina noted that defeating the USA was a significant highlight, especially since they had previously defeated the Indian senior team in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, leading to India's exclusion from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She remarked, "Representing India at the Hockey5s World Cup was an incredible experience. Even though we lost the final, the team's performance was commendable. Beating the USA boosted our confidence significantly, as it felt like we made the senior team proud."

Ajmina began her hockey journey at the age of 11, hailing from the Sundargarh district in Odisha, a region renowned for its strong hockey culture. Her passion for the sport ignited when she observed her father and brothers play in their village. Tragically, her father, a staunch supporter of her hockey endeavors, passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Ajmina shared,

"My father played hockey, and so did my brothers, which fueled my interest in the sport. Now that he is no longer with us, I play hockey in his memory, striving to make him proud. This serves as my greatest motivation."

Looking ahead, Ajmina affirmed, "My goal is to perform well in every match during this Australian tour, ensuring I remain in the squad for the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches. As a midfielder, I am focusing on improving my passing, scanning the field quickly, and playing the ball with speed," she concluded.