Sujata Kujur’s gain from the Australia series: Advice from her idol Sushila Chanu and appreciation from Savita Punia
Sudeep Pakrashi: Sujata Kujur added a feather to Bengal’s hockey legacy, becoming the first female field hockey player from the state to have represented the senior Indian team. The 22-year-old midfielder made her debut in one match only against the Australia-A team in the five-test series held from 26 April to 4 May. Three tests were played against Australia’s senior women’s squad. Previously, the midfielder had represented the country in the Junior Asian Cup in Japan in 2023, in Four-Nation junior tournament and in Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile in 2023. Sujata is now at her home in Sundargarh, Odisha. She has been given only a four-day rest before joining the women’s national preparatory camp in Bangalore for the national team’s European Leg of FIH Pro-League this year, set to be held in June. But the midfielder who originally played as a defender did not sound much elated, speaking over the phone from her home. She also smilingly disclosed that some of her neighbours and local friends were even aware that Sujata Kujur, the first India international from her village, returned home! When asked about the gain from her maiden international competition, she stated, “I have always idolized Indian international Sushila Chanu, and I was fortunate to have her with me on the trip. She gave me crucial advice and motivated me also before the match.” Sujata continued, “Secondly, I should mention Savita Punia’s name. Initially, I was slightly nervous after being selected for the team. But during the training period, Savita inspired me a lot, telling me, ‘enjoy the match’. More importantly, after the match, she appreciated my performance. Appreciation from such an experienced and renowned player will work as motivation for me.” When asked about the lesson she got on the field, Sujata explained, “I need to improve my speed and sense of positioning.” Sujata’s hockey journey, however, wasn’t an easy one. Growing up in Sundargarh, she looked up to Deep Grace Ekka and began playing hockey at the age of 10. Despite financial constraints, her determination never wavered. “I started playing in my hometown’s academy when I was quite young. At first, I didn’t even have my hockey stick or shoes, so I would borrow from my teammates. There were times I had to play barefoot because my shoes were torn, but I never stopped playing,” she recalled. The youngest of three siblings, Sujata says that support from her family has always been unwavering. “My parents have always stood by me. Not once did they say that I shouldn’t play hockey. They always encouraged me to give my best and work hard,” she said. Sujata, who expressed thankfulness to her SAI coach Mohanty for having nurtured her for the last nine years, is now eyeing a berth in the senior Indian squad for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Hockey Bengal plans to introduce franchise women’s league; Gurbux raised questions on security at Pahalgam
Sudeep Pakrashi Hockey Bengal is planning to introduce a franchise-based women’s league in Bengal. Sujit Bose, the state minister for the Department of Fire and Emergency Service and the president of Hockey Bengal, revealed that plans are to organize the league with six to eight teams. The matches are expected to be staged on the Astro-Turf at Dumurjola Sports Complex in Howrah. “We will be the country’s first state to introduce a franchise-based women’s league. Considering plans so far, we will try to organize it either at the end of May or in June this year. A few city-based companies have expressed willingness to come forward with financial assistance to promote women’s hockey. Simultaneously, we will be requesting East Bengal and Mohun Bagan also to introduce women’s teams in the League,” said Bose while speaking to Parallel Sports during the occasion of Hockey Bengal’s 117th Foundation Day celebration program at the Hockey Bengal Maidan premises on Saturday. Incidentally, Bose also divulged that in a bid to make promotion of the game in Bengal, the state association will be initiating another Astro-Turf in the state where the competitive matches at the grass-route level will be held. Bose added, “Unless we provide quality ground and infrastructure for the young promising players they cannot improve the standard of the game. So, I desire to lay an Astro-Turf on this Hockey Bengal’s Maidan ground to successfully run our coaching program with under-14 and under-16 boys and girls.” Bose also announced that the newly-built Astro-Turf stadium with a capacity of around six thousand seats at the Salt Lake Stadium campus will be inaugurated with the prestigious Beighton Cup from 7th to 11th November. However, legendary Olympian Gurbux Singh was also present at the function on the day. Thanking Hockey Bengal’s president and the association for their effort to promote the game in Bengal, was vocal when asked about the recent terrorist-attack on the tourists at Pahelgam. Singh, now 89 said, “I question about the security system at Pahelgam. How could such a popular and important tourist spot become completely without security?” The young boys and girls, selected from different districts for Hockey Bengal’s forthcoming coaching programs were presented hockey sticks by the president and Gurbux Singh on the day.
