Ashley Hoffman Eager to Learn Hindi and Forge Friendships in HIL

New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) USA women's team defender Ashley Hoffman is thrilled to be joining the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season after being signed by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 10 lakh.

The 28-year-old considers herself fortunate to be playing in India after stepping in for Ireland's Sarah Hawkshaw in the Bengal squad. Although Ashley went unsold in the HIL auction last month, she feels destined to play in India and to experience the warmth and passion of the country's devoted fans.

"I'm incredibly excited, actually counting down the days until we depart for India. I view this as such a unique opportunity to grow as a person and a hockey player while embracing something entirely different," she shared with IANS during an exclusive interview.

"Naturally, it was disheartening to miss out on the chance to experience India and compete with Indian players. However, that made the call I received a couple of days later all the more rewarding, as I truly appreciated it after feeling disappointed initially. So, now I'm just really enthusiastic that it all worked out in the end," Ashley expressed her thoughts after the auction.

With Indian stars Vandana Katariya, Udita, and Lalremsiami as her teammates, Ashley is eager to cultivate meaningful friendships and learn from her fellow players during her time in India.

"I feel extremely fortunate to play alongside these athletes who possess a wealth of international experience. The USA hockey scene is relatively small, so I plan to absorb as much knowledge as I can from these players and coaches during my experience in India. More than that, I look forward to getting to know these players personally, which is what I am most excited about—building friendships and relationships while having a great time together.

"I always find the most enjoyment when we compete fiercely together. Therefore, I am definitely excited to play with such talented players, and I hope we can perform well in the tournament," she added.

On the subject of the women's edition of the HIL, Ashley views it as a chance for the Indian women's team to shine on the international stage in the future.

"Absolutely. Countries with popular leagues tend to excel internationally. You can see players traveling from all over the world to compete in those leagues. This not only benefits the host country but also allows players to learn from some of the best in the world. I believe this will significantly help the Indian women's team achieve success in the coming years.

"The investment is crucial for India, and I hope the U.S. recognizes this and seeks to replicate it by establishing a league of our own," she remarked.

In addition to gaining essential hockey insights, the defender is looking forward to learning Hindi and exploring Indian cuisine to connect with her teammates on a deeper level.

"Firstly, I would love to learn simple greetings in Hindi like 'hello' and 'how are you?' Little things in the language of the country will help a lot. I also want to learn more about their food, their playing style, their tactical preferences, and how they perceive the game," Ashley said.

"There is an abundance of knowledge I hope to gain from this experience, both on and off the field. I plan to absorb everything I can in January and also share my experiences while fostering relationships with my teammates in that way," she added.

When asked about the passionate Indian fans, Ashley did not hesitate to call India a remarkable place to play hockey due to the immense support for the sport.

"Absolutely, I am eagerly anticipating experiencing India's love for hockey, the excitement of the fans, and the fast-paced nature of the game. There is no other place in the world quite like it when it comes to hockey matches, so I am looking forward to embracing the energy and buzz of the hockey community in India. I hope to play some truly thrilling games of hockey," she concluded.