<p>Bengaluru: For the followers of hockey, the hat-trick (a first by an Indian female player) in a group stage 4-3 win against South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics will be one of the most cherished memories of Vandana Katariya. </p>.<p>For her team-mates, the 5’ 3’’ player’s energy at the frontline coupled with her indomitable stick skills and goal-scoring abilities will be a void hard to fill. </p>.<p>Either way, the on-field services of the most-capped Indian women’s player will be missed as the 32-year-old made a sudden announcement of retiring on Tuesday, much to the surprise of the hockey fraternity. </p>.<p>“There comes a time in every athlete’s life when they have to make the hard decision of walking away. I was feeling the same from the past two-three days and thought this was the right time to retire,” Vandana told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.Kodava Hockey Festival adds all-women 5s event.<p>“At the end of yesterday’s (Monday evening) practice, I stood in front of the whole team and announced my decision. It was very emotional for me and everybody there,” she said while recollecting the moment when the player shared the news for the first time with the national squad which is camping at the SAI Centre in Kengeri here. </p>.<p>Vandana has turned out in the senior Indian jersey for a whopping 320 times with the forward scoring 158 goals in a career spanning over 15 years after making her senior national team debut in 2009 as a 17-year-old. She made her final appearence for India in the Bhubaneshwar leg of the FIH Pro League a few weeks ago in February.</p>.<p>Over the years, the girl from Roshnabad in Uttar Pradesh would go on to become a two-time Olympian (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), also featuring in two World Cups (2018, 2022) and playing a pivotal role in helping India win silver (2018) and two bronze (2014, 2022) at the Asian Games. </p>.<p>The 2022 Padma Shri awardee was also part of the goal medal-winning national squads at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 and 2023 apart from playing in the three previous editions of the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, 2022). </p>.<p>Out of all the highs and lows during her illustrious career, Vandana was one of the centre pieces of the Rani Rampal-led India when they shocked Australia at the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals before falling agonisingly short of a medal by finishing fourth.</p>.<p>When asked her about her best memories, she offered: “The 2013 junior World Cup bronze in Germany and the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy gold in Singapore. Also, being part of the first Indian women’s team to qualify for the Olympics (2016 Rio Games)... That was a special feeling.” </p>.<p>Understandably, Vandana, flooded with questions about her decision to retire, had no answer to the ‘what next’ query. </p>.<p>“I haven’t thought much about the future. I need some time to digest all of this because it was a sudden decision.</p>.<p>“But I can tell you that I will always be available for Indian hockey in whatever capacity. I am (what I am) because of this sport and it has given me everything. Speaking about the women’s game in the country, it has a bright future and I’m excited to watch the team shine.”</p>.<p>Highlights - Prolific Vandana Senior India debut: 2009 Position: Forward Matches played: 320 International goals: 158 Top finishes: Asian Games: Silver (2018), Bronze (2014, 2022); Asian Champions Trophy: Gold (2016, 2023), Silver (2013, 2018); FIH Pro League: Bronze (2021-22); Junior Women’s World Cup: Bronze (2013); Tokyo Olympics 2020: 4th position. Awards: Padma Shri (2022), Arjuna Award (2021).</p>
<p>Bengaluru: For the followers of hockey, the hat-trick (a first by an Indian female player) in a group stage 4-3 win against South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics will be one of the most cherished memories of Vandana Katariya. </p>.<p>For her team-mates, the 5’ 3’’ player’s energy at the frontline coupled with her indomitable stick skills and goal-scoring abilities will be a void hard to fill. </p>.<p>Either way, the on-field services of the most-capped Indian women’s player will be missed as the 32-year-old made a sudden announcement of retiring on Tuesday, much to the surprise of the hockey fraternity. </p>.<p>“There comes a time in every athlete’s life when they have to make the hard decision of walking away. I was feeling the same from the past two-three days and thought this was the right time to retire,” Vandana told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.Kodava Hockey Festival adds all-women 5s event.<p>“At the end of yesterday’s (Monday evening) practice, I stood in front of the whole team and announced my decision. It was very emotional for me and everybody there,” she said while recollecting the moment when the player shared the news for the first time with the national squad which is camping at the SAI Centre in Kengeri here. </p>.<p>Vandana has turned out in the senior Indian jersey for a whopping 320 times with the forward scoring 158 goals in a career spanning over 15 years after making her senior national team debut in 2009 as a 17-year-old. She made her final appearence for India in the Bhubaneshwar leg of the FIH Pro League a few weeks ago in February.</p>.<p>Over the years, the girl from Roshnabad in Uttar Pradesh would go on to become a two-time Olympian (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), also featuring in two World Cups (2018, 2022) and playing a pivotal role in helping India win silver (2018) and two bronze (2014, 2022) at the Asian Games. </p>.<p>The 2022 Padma Shri awardee was also part of the goal medal-winning national squads at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 and 2023 apart from playing in the three previous editions of the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, 2022). </p>.<p>Out of all the highs and lows during her illustrious career, Vandana was one of the centre pieces of the Rani Rampal-led India when they shocked Australia at the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals before falling agonisingly short of a medal by finishing fourth.</p>.<p>When asked her about her best memories, she offered: “The 2013 junior World Cup bronze in Germany and the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy gold in Singapore. Also, being part of the first Indian women’s team to qualify for the Olympics (2016 Rio Games)... That was a special feeling.” </p>.<p>Understandably, Vandana, flooded with questions about her decision to retire, had no answer to the ‘what next’ query. </p>.<p>“I haven’t thought much about the future. I need some time to digest all of this because it was a sudden decision.</p>.<p>“But I can tell you that I will always be available for Indian hockey in whatever capacity. I am (what I am) because of this sport and it has given me everything. Speaking about the women’s game in the country, it has a bright future and I’m excited to watch the team shine.”</p>.<p>Highlights - Prolific Vandana Senior India debut: 2009 Position: Forward Matches played: 320 International goals: 158 Top finishes: Asian Games: Silver (2018), Bronze (2014, 2022); Asian Champions Trophy: Gold (2016, 2023), Silver (2013, 2018); FIH Pro League: Bronze (2021-22); Junior Women’s World Cup: Bronze (2013); Tokyo Olympics 2020: 4th position. Awards: Padma Shri (2022), Arjuna Award (2021).</p>