Powering Through Loss & Casteism, Vandana Katariya Played Her 300th Hockey Game

Vandana Katariya, the star of Indian women's hockey, is all set to play her 300th international game today, October 31. In today's game in the Asian Champions Trophy where India will be playing against Japan, all eyes will be set on Katariya. But who is this champion?

Born in Roshnabad in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, she trained at Krishna Kumar's Academy. The 31-year-old player was taunted about playing a game in shorts. However, sidelining all taunts, her talent was encouraged by her father Nahar Singh who worked as a master technician at BHEL. The support she received from her family was unprecedented. 

Katariya first played on the junior international scene in 2006 before debuting at the senior international level four years later.

Debut & International Career

In 2010, she made her debut in the senior national team. Katariya made her international debut in September 2011. She was a squad member that secured a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior World Cup held in Mönchengladbach, Germany. During the tournament, she emerged as India's leading goal scorer, tallying 5 goals in 4 games.

She reached her 100th cap during a match against Canada in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. In 2014, Katariya received the Player of the Year Award from Hockey India.

In 2018, at the Asian Champion Trophy, the Indian team secured a silver medal after losing to Korea, with Katariya earning the Player of the Tournament accolade. She marked her 200th match during the third game of the five-match series in India's tour of Spain in June 2018, which preceded the World Cup.

Father's Passing & Struggle That Followed

As reported by The Times Of India, Katariya's father passed away right before the Tokyo Olympics leaving the player broken. She reportedly found herself in a difficult situation, and it was her teammates who provided her with the strength to move forward.

"Even the simple act of standing up felt challenging at that time. I had to shoulder many of the household responsibilities. I contemplated at that point that I might not be able to continue playing. However, with the Olympics approaching and the team putting in so much effort, I felt a strong sense of responsibility," stated the most-capped female player in the Indian national team.

She went on to perform her best during the tournament where India qualified for the semi-finals and finished fourth. Katariya scored a total of four goals, which notably featured a remarkable hat-trick against South Africa during the group stage. This achievement marked the first time an Indian woman had achieved such a feat at the Olympics.

Casteism & Discrimination

Growing up in the small town of Uttarakhand, Katariya and her whole family faced severe casteism as she continued to play the game.

But the major blow came right after India's defeat to Argentina in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics of 2020.

Allegedly three men came to her home and insulted her family. There were also reports of some individuals from upper castes verbally insulting Katariya's family, saying that the Olympic semifinal loss was attributed to the team's significant representation of Dalit players.

Inspiration & Philanthropy

The player's career had a huge impact on her hometown. Today, more than 250 kids, in her village play hockey, most of whom are girls, inspired by their own personal hero.

On August 8, 2021, she was designated as the brand ambassador for the government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Andolan' campaign.

Suggested Reading: Caste, Religion, Marriage? What NOT To Ask When A Sportswoman Wins Big