The keeper of India’s goals

Hailing from Yerravaripalem, a tiny hamlet in Chittoor district, Rajani Etimarpu seems to have come a long way. She is part of the current Indian women’s hockey team, which will play at the Asian Championship to be held later this month in Japan. A goalkeeper, who has already tasted success at the international level, Rajani says, “It’s a great feeling to be playing for the country. This tournament is very important for us; we need to win it to qualify for the world cup.”

Describing her road to success as ‘hard work with perseverance’, she recalls, “I first picked up the sport in 2005 in Tirupati, under the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP). My coaches encouraged me and instilled in me the confidence that I could play for India.”

After excelling in the junior nationals’ camp in Lucknow, Rajani became a member of the senior women’s national team in 2009.

Rajani Etimarpu

There were times when this champ’s skill and talent were disparaged, but despite all odds, Rajani’s parents and coaches stood by her, letting her decide the course of her life. “Initially, people ridiculed me for taking up hockey. I also missed my academic classes because of practice. But all these things only made me more determined,” she says.

The litmus test for Rajani came when an injury prevented her from getting selected in the national team in 2014.

“I missed around five tournaments. I was going through several emotions during my recovery. The competition was intense but I was determined, and after a year, I was a part of the team which qualified for the Olympics after 36 years,” shares Rajani.

She adds, “Whenever I am feeling low, I talk to my mom; she charges me up. She is very spiritual, visits temples and prays for my success. And of course, she is tensed about my injuries (smiles) and keeps calling me constantly to check on me.”

Not surprisingly, Rajani is livid about questions around getting married. “People keep asking me when am I getting married  and I get angry. My parents also know about it, so they skip conversations about my marriage in the village. Just because I am a girl people ask me these questions. Why can’t they ask the same question to a boy of the same age?” she shoots back.

A few of Rajini’s achievements
July 2010: At the 1st Women’s Asian Championship Trophy at Busan, Korea, the Indian team won Bronze
Sept 2010: Was a member of the Indian World Cup Team
October 2010: Was a member of the Commonwealth Games
July 2013: Was at the 8th Women’s Asia Cup in Malaysia, the Indian team won Bronze
October 2013: Was at the 3rd Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Japan, the Indian team won Silver; Rajani was awarded the ‘Best Goalkeeper’
March 2015: Was at the FIH World League Round, Delhi, the team came first
October 2016: At the 4th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, Singapore, the Indian team won Gold
2016: Rajani was a member of the Indian Hockey Team which qualified (after 36 years) for Rio Olympics
April 2017: The Indian team were the winners of the Women’s Hockey World League, Round 2 in Vancouver