Confidence they say matters a lot. It is a morale booster and helps an individual strive to achieve more. And that is what India women’s hockey midfielder Nikki Pradhan is applying.
The brilliant midfielder made revelations about her journey from a rural area of Hesal in Jharkhand to attain the height of an Olympian in 2016.
Having grown up in the suburbs of Khunti, Nikki revealed she was always low on confidence and had to strive hard to make it to the Indian team but admitted that it was worth it.
“I am from a place where hockey was idolized, and it wasn’t a smooth journey, I must say, as there were very few resources to make do with.
” Sometimes, I imagine if I would ever be a professional hockey player, as many negative thoughts crossed my mind. I didn’t allow that weigh me down as I quickly wiped such thoughts off my mind by putting in much hard work, and I am very grateful for the support and love I got from people around me as it helped me a lot thought my journey to the top.”
Nikki added that she began by representing the state, which got her a reward for a call-up to the national team.
Nikki, who was part of the India Women’s team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics, said her goal is not only to attend the Olympics but also to win an Olympic medal. ” Not only do I want to participate, but I wish to be an Olympic medal winner and come to Tokyo 2020 the girls and I will give our best to achieve that”. She said.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which has been further extended by a year due to the global pandemic spread, will take place in 2021. This has given athletes extra time to prepare ahead of the quadrennial event.
Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi
