Indian Women’s Hockey Icon Vandana Katariya Achieves Milestone of 300 International Caps

Uttar Pradesh, renowned for producing hockey legends like Major Dhyan Chand and Kunwar Digvijay Singh ‘Babu,’ is now celebrating a new milestone in women’s hockey. Vandana Katariya , aged 31, made history by becoming the first Indian women’s hockey player to reach 300 international matches. Her remarkable journey began during her tenure at the state government-run girls’ hockey hostel in Lucknow, where she trained from 2005 to 2010 under the guidance of Vishnu Sharma and Poonam Lata Raj. Vandana accomplished this incredible feat during a match against Japan at the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi.

Poonam Lata Raj, Vandana’s former coach and current sports officer with the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate, expressed her pride in Vandana’s achievements. She commended Vandana’s ability to score goals from any angle and her unwavering commitment to teamwork. Hailing from the quaint lanes of Haridwar, Vandana Katariya is renowned as the sole Indian woman to achieve the feat of scoring a remarkable hat-trick at the Olympics.

Achieving the milestone of 300 international appearances is a remarkable accomplishment for Vandana, who faced early challenges and teasing when she decided to pursue hockey. Her father, Nahar Singh, remained a steadfast pillar of support. Reflecting on her journey, Vandana said, “When I started, I didn’t think I would be playing for India. I didn’t even know that was an option, and I certainly didn’t think I would play 300 matches.”

RP Singh, chairman of the selection committee in Hockey India and secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Hockey, praised Vandana as an exceptional player who serves as an inspiration to young athletes and a source of pride for Indian hockey. This achievement is also a momentous occasion for Uttar Pradesh hockey.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Hindustan Times}