New Delhi
At 25, Manisha Chauhan, from Uttarakhand fulfilled her dream of making her international debut for the Senior Women’s Hockey Team. The dynamic midfielder made her first appearance against Argentina during the Europe leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.
Expressing her delight at earning her first cap for India, Manisha said, It is every player’s dream to represent their country on a global stage. I have always dreamt of this moment ever since I started playing hockey. It was a special moment for me as I made my way onto the pitch wearing the Indian jersey. The coaching and support staff have put their trust in me, and it was up to me to prove them right.
Harendra Sir told me to trust my instincts and play my natural game, which I have been playing for the past few years. He also told me the areas I need to work on and how I can improve my game overall. Every member of the team has supported, helped, and motivated me to perform better, she added.
Manisha’s interest in hockey began when she was in class 5th. Recalling her journey, she said, I was always interested in playing sports. I used to play football and handball a lot. I also have state-level medals in the long jump and shot put. I remember the school coach coming to the ground and asking us if anyone wanted to play hockey. I showed interest in taking up the sport and then he asked me to come for training in the evening.
