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.
This story is from the December 29, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Kottayam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 29, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Kottayam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Transition phase, finding balance challenge for India
Indian cricket is at a tipping point, especially in Test matches. For the first time in 12 years, India lost a home Test series (0-3 to New Zealand), and R Ashwin retired. However, India won their first ICC title in over 10 years in June 2024.
Hoping for fulfilling 2025 after controversial 2024
Despite not-so-very savoury 2024, Indian sports hope for a better 2025
GM Vaishali qualifies for World Blitz quarterfinals
INDIAN Grandmaster R Vaishali surprised herself with a stellar performance to enter the quarterfinals of the World Blitz Championship here, even as recently-crowned rapid champion Koneru Humpy made an early exit.
Fiscal deficit at 52.5% of target by Nov-end
THE Centre's fiscal deficit at the end of the eighth month of financial year 2024-25 was at 52.5% of the full-year target, according to the government data released on Tuesday.
BSNL Employees Union opposes 2nd phase of VRS
THE BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU) has opposed the proposed second phase of the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) introduced by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) management.
Russia's Missile & Drone Attack Hits Multiple Regions of Ukraine
RUSSIA launched an aerial attack on Ukraine on Tuesday, striking the capital and other regions with multiple missiles and drones.
9/11 Plea Deals Back on Table
Military court says defense secy Austin had no right to reject a decision already okayed by the Guantanamo court's top authority
81% of groundwater safe for irrigation
The groundwater quality report for 2024 reveals that India's overall drinking groundwater resource is temporarily becoming hard and may not be directly suitable for many industrial purposes.
Eco zone in 196 villages of 3 Gujarat dists triggers row
PROTESTS over an eco-sensitive zone in 196 villages across Gujarat's Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts have sparked a political slugfest.
Beed murder mastermind surrenders after 22 days
AFTER 22 days, Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, on Tuesday surrendered before the Pune police in connection with an extortion case linked to the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district.
