Tokyo 2020: There is no fear factor in this team, we can beat anyone, says the vice-captain of the women’s team Savita Punia
Savita Punia’s outstanding presence in goal has played a key role in India’s landmark victories in recent years. Savita was awarded the title of “Goalkeeper of the tournament” when India won the 2017 Asian Cup in November. India defeated China 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout to win the tournament 13 years later.
At Tokyo, if the Indian team had any chance to finish at the podium, the 30-year-old will have to be at her very best.
Savita doesn’t have fond memories of the Rio Olympics, where India has qualified after a gap of 36 years. India was eliminated at the Group Stage itself with four losses and a draw against Japan.
“We didn’t have a good outing at Rio. We lacked the experience to perform on the biggest stage and were also a bit overwhelmed by the occasion,” Savita told India.Today.
The goalkeeper is one of the eight players who had represented India at the 2016 Olympics. Savita Punia believes that this Indian side can beat any team in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, starting from July 23
“Rio was past, and our aim is to return with a medal from Tokyo. This team has immense self-belief, and this group can top beat any top team on the given day. We don’t have fear factor anymore,” said Savita.
Covid-19 has not dampened our spirit
When the whole country is reeling under a severe second wave of Covid-19, the Savita herself had contracted the infection along with her six teammates and two support staff members.
“For the past one-and-half years, I was wearing two masks and following all the protocols. Then all of a sudden, I got infected. It was frustrating,” recalls Savita.
“For any athlete playing in the Olympics is a big thing. You don’t want to miss any training sessions, because you live for that moment. It was a setback, but it didn’t dampen our spirit.
“Since I had a very mild symptoms, I kept myself busy. I utilized it by watching the videos. It helped to understand my game as well as the opponents,” said Savita.
Living her late grandfather’s dream
Savita used to travel 30 kilometres from Jodhkan village to Maharaja Agrasain Girls Senior Secondary School in Sirsa town to hone her hockey skills six times a week. The school was the only place near her village where there were hockey coaches as well as infrastructure.
She used to take a bus to and fro between her house in Jodhkan and the school in Sirsa.
Before Savita, no one among the Punias had ever taken up any kind of sport as a career.
It all started when Ranjeet Punia, grandfather of Savita, had once been to Delhi to watch a hockey match and liked the sport instantly. After coming back to Jodhkan, he encouraged his granddaughter to play the sport.
“Initially, Savita used to hate it, not because she didn’t like the game, but because of the amount of the travelling she had to do. The to and fro journey from the academy to our home was quite difficult,” reminisces Mohender Punia, Savita’s father.
From mid-fielder to goalkeeper
Interestingly, Savita started as a midfielder; but after one year of joining the academy, her coach Sundar Singh Kharab recommended goalkeeping to enhance her chances of making the Indian team. Savita’s height (5’ 8”) was what prompted Kharab to make her a custodian.
“Kharab sir told me that Savita can be a good goalkeeper due to her height. He, in fact, guaranteed me that she will be in the Indian team when she was just 12 or 13,” recollects Mohender.
Rest, as they say, is history!
In 2007, Savita was picked for her maiden national camp in Lucknow. She got her first call up to the Indian team in 2008. She, however, had to wait till 2011 to play her first match for the country.
