New Delhi, Dec 27 (NationPress) Indian women’s hockey veteran Savita Punia is currently in a thoughtful yet resolute stage of her career as she gears up for the imminent World Cup qualifiers.

In an exclusive chat with IANS before the Hockey India League (HIL) season with Soorma Hockey Club, the seasoned goalkeeper candidly discussed her retirement considerations, her evolving rapport with Rani Rampal, the emergence of young talent, leadership dynamics, and her aspirations for World Cup qualification.

Soorma kicked off their campaign strongly in last year’s inaugural Women’s Hockey India League, starting with an impressive 4-1 win against the Bengal Tigers, followed by a close 2-1 victory over the Odisha Warriors, who would eventually claim the championship, before succumbing 0-2 to the Delhi SG Pipers.

The return matches brought varied outcomes. Soorma bounced back with a dominant 5-1 win against Delhi but faced a setback in a penalty shootout against Odisha. They later triumphed 4-2 over Bengal to secure a spot in the finals, where they were again defeated by the Odisha Warriors.

Having played alongside Rani Rampal during the Tokyo Olympics, Soorma Hockey Club co-captain Savita emphasizes that their bond remains strong, despite changes in their roles at Soorma, where Rani now acts as a mentor.

“I maintain a very positive relationship with her as we have shared the field for a long time with India. For a significant period, we were captain and vice-captain—around three to four years,” Savita expressed.

“There are certain aspects where even without extensive dialogue, we possess a significant mutual understanding. Today, she serves as our team’s mentor, which is undoubtedly beneficial for the team.”

Savita believes Rani’s mentorship is particularly valuable for younger players transitioning to senior-level hockey. “Having played for India for so long, her role as our mentor is immensely advantageous, especially for the younger athletes,” she remarked.

“On the field, we engage in direct, sharp discussions that are effective for the team. Off the field, if any issues arise, we communicate and resolve them together.”

When asked about the new generation at Soorma, Savita didn’t hesitate to highlight a few standout players. “Certainly Sonam and Hina (Bano), and also Nidhi, who is an exceptional goalkeeper. Binima (Dhan) is also a remarkable player,” she noted.

“This platform provides them with an opportunity. If they excel here, they know it’s a fantastic chance to break into the senior team.”

With the Junior World Cup recently concluded and the HIL in motion, Savita believes the timing is ideal. “This is the perfect moment for them to shine and pave their way into the senior squad.”

Savita praises the culture at Soorma Hockey Club as essential for both individual and collective growth. “Last season was extremely positive for us both as a team and as individuals. The environment here encourages everyone. Just observing our staff motivates us to excel due to the support, encouragement, and clarity they offer,” she mentioned.

She commended the supportive system established by head coach Jude Menezes, the analytical team, and the high-performance unit. “I consistently believe that if the environment is favorable, even if I don’t perform well one day, the backing of my team and staff means I might not need a psychologist the following day. I can manage it independently.”

Discussing the atmosphere off the field, Savita said, “We share a lot of jokes, which fosters strong bonds. Players like Baljeet, Nisha, and Mumtaz joined us this season, and we were genuinely thrilled. We truly want to demonstrate how positive the Soorma environment is.”

Sharing captaincy duties, Savita believes, has alleviated unnecessary pressure from individuals.

“For me, it’s irrelevant whether you are captain or not. The key is that as a senior player, you must accept responsibility,” she explained.

“No one has to tell you, ‘Savita, you need to do this.’ You learn from your seniors, making it an inherent responsibility.”

She stressed that leadership at Soorma is a shared effort. “Truthfully, there is no stress regarding being captain or co-captain here as everyone is engaged in some capacity. Otherwise, typically, the captain carries additional pressure, which can hinder her natural game. That is not the case here,” Savita stated.

This philosophy, she noted, also applies to the Indian team. “It’s all our responsibility, nothing beyond that.”

With India yet to secure a spot in next year’s World Cup, Savita affirmed that the team’s mindset is unwavering.

“As players, we remain optimistic. However, more importantly, we firmly believe that there is no alternative. For us, this is a must-win scenario—do or die,” she declared.

She is confident that the team has the potential to aim higher than mere qualification. “Our goal extends beyond qualification; we aim to finish on the podium. Qualification is merely the first phase.”

Nevertheless, fitness remains a crucial focus. “Some players are in rehabilitation, which is a key concern. The HIL serves as an excellent platform right before the qualifiers,” she elucidated.

“When you play with a liberated mindset, you realize your true capabilities—and this helps us prepare more effectively for the World Cup.” Savita openly admitted that retirement has crossed her mind multiple times. “Honestly, I’ve thought about retirement twice,” she revealed.

The first instance was after India’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics. “I considered retiring after the Paris Olympics because we had high hopes for qualification. Our preparation was thorough, but it was a setback for me. After many years of dedication, I felt it was vital to conclude on a positive note. I worried that perhaps I was making the decision out of frustration and sorrow,” she recounted.

“My husband advised me that if, after a year, I regretted not trying again, that time would be lost forever. That truly resonated with me.”

Family support ultimately motivated her to persevere. “If my husband and family are with me, what is there to fear?”

The second consideration arose after the last HIL season, influenced by family duties. “I am a very family-oriented individual. My parents have supported me immensely, and now my in-laws also require my presence,” she shared.

For the moment, Savita is clear about her immediate objectives. “At present, I am only focusing on HIL 2026 and then the Asian Games. We will assess after that. Definitely not LA, but the Asian Games for sure.”

At a juncture when many athletes begin to slow down, Savita remains concentrated, grounded by experience, strengthened by support, and driven by some unfinished business in Indian hockey.