BENGALURU: Emotions overwhelmed Hina Bano when she received the news of her first call-up to the Indian senior women's hockey team on Monday. The 22-year-old midfielder from Lucknow immediately called her mother and broke down inconsolably. Her tears were not just of joy but also relief, as the Indian senior team jersey represents her triumph over fear, resistance, and even violence.
Rising Female Participation in Uttar Pradesh
A recent study by the BBC and Collective Newsroom on women's participation and viewership in sports revealed that female participation in Uttar Pradesh has increased from 1% to 10% over the past five years. Behind this statistic are stories of women who have fought social and personal battles to continue playing sports. Hina's story is one such example.
Early Life and Struggles
Hina lost her father when she was two years old and was raised by her maternal grandfather, Ujagar Ali, a barber for army personnel, along with her uncles. In her family, sports were never considered a viable path for girls. "My grandfather and uncles were against me playing hockey because they worried about what society would say if I went away to a hostel," Hina explained.
Discovery of Hockey
Hina began playing hockey in 2014 after her coach, Abhishek, encouraged her to switch from athletics to the sport. "Once I started hockey, I couldn't stay away from it," she said. However, the resistance at home intensified. "When I refused to stop playing, they would beat me. I cried many times, not because of pain, but because the thought of not playing hockey anymore scared me."
Secret Trials and Support
The pressure forced Hina to quit hockey for nearly three years. Yet, the game kept pulling her back. In 2017, she secretly attended trials at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Lucknow. Her school principal and coaches visited her home to convince her family to let her pursue the sport. "It took a lot of persuading," she recalled.
A Symbol of Persistence
Hina's journey from facing beatings to earning a national team call-up is a testament to her persistence. Her story highlights the changing landscape for women in sports in Uttar Pradesh and serves as an inspiration for many young girls facing similar challenges.
About the Author: Manuja Veerappa is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, specializing in cricket and hockey. She has covered major sporting events and is known for compelling human-interest stories.
