was the semifinal day of the 2024 Women's Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir. Conventionally speaking, Bihar is not known for anything related to the sport. Odisha, followed by Jharkhand, and to a certain extent Chennai have come to be known as the centers of hockey when it comes to existing in recent times. However, the roar the crowd let out when the ground announcer started introducing the Indian players at the Rajgir Sports Complex in late November would tell you that the state of Bihar had embraced the sport like never before.
It is not just hockey, women's sports in India are slowly and steadily gaining the imagination of people. The crowd at various sporting events are an indication of what is to unfold in the coming years.
Female athletes, who have played in front of empty chairs in the not-so-distant past, feel this is one of those watershed moments they never thought they would witness in their careers. Take Harmanpreet Kaur, for example, current captain of the national side played in the 2013 ODI World Cup hosted in India. The fixtures were played across two cities, Mumbai and Cuttack, on five grounds. Despite Wankhede Stadium being within walking distance, the Indian team played their matches at the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne Stadium. The final of the ICC event was played at the same venue with empty stands and minimum fanfare.
Denne historien er fra December 29, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Tiruchy.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 29, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Tiruchy.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Getting to Do Spy Stuff is Fun
Keira Knightley speaks to Sally James on playing a secret agent in her latest spy thriller, Black Doves
A Guilty, Albeit Predictable, Pleasure
In sequels to 'happily ever after' romantic films, the narrative often tests the strength of the lead couple's bond by introducing obstacles—be it physical distance or a potential rival sparking jealousy.
Sax and the City
The best hop, skip and jump spots for aficionados of jazz in its birthplace where the music never stops and feet never stop tapping
A Story of Uneasy Love
The fast-paced love story between a Muslim girl and a Hindu boy explores the tension between tradition and modernity
Making 2025 Your Best Year
Eleven infallible strategies to transform New Year resolutions into habits
It Maybe the Best of Times, but It is Surely the Worst of Times
Manmohan Singh, former PM and finance minister who launched India's 1991 economic reforms, died last week.
The Winning Edge
Entrepreneur Stuti Jalan is taking the story of Indian women to the global stage
A Princely Palette in Pink City
Sawai Padmanabh Singh hopes that under his patronage, the recently-opened Jaipur Centre for Art will put his city on the global map of contemporary art
An Eye on the Oppressed
Photographer Jaisingh Nageswaran's childhood was defined by just one incident.
Man City record second consecutive win, Chelsea held by Palace
ERLING Haaland and Manchester City might be turning the corner after the team's worst run of results under Pep Guardiola. Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham as City secured back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since late October.
