\u201cWe knew that for many of us, the 1998 Asian Games would be our last major event and that we would retire after that. We hadn\u2019t won a medal in 13 years and didn\u2019t want to retire without one. So, for two years leading up to the Asian Games, we focused on every little detail to ensure we returned with a medal,\u201d Pritam was quoted by Hockey India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She went on to say, \u201cAs soon as we won that silver, we knew it was the turning point for women\u2019s hockey in India. The graph has only gone upward since then.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pritam added that the team\u2019s hard work for the 1998 Asian Games paid off and laid the foundation for future successes, including the silver medal at the 1999 Asia Cup and the historic gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She also credited Hockey India and the government for ushering in a new era for women\u2019s hockey. \u201cA lot has changed for the players since my time in the Indian team. Today, the women\u2019s team has access to improved facilities and a strong support system that we didn\u2019t have back then. The players today are extremely talented and benefit from grassroots development programs, sports science, more coaching staff, trainers, and even psychologists\u2014resources that were unavailable in our playing days.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked about passing the torch to the next generation and paving the path for the next 100 years of Indian hockey, Pritam said, \u201cI consider myself very lucky that my children are also playing hockey. Very few parents who have played at a certain level get the opportunity to contribute to shaping the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pritam believes the Indian women\u2019s team has a very bright future and, with the right focus and support, can achieve Olympic success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf our men\u2019s team can win an Olympic medal, so can our women\u2019s team. Our next major goal should be to win gold at the Asian Games to secure qualification for the Olympic Games. With the strong grassroots talent we have and the ongoing work at the state and SAI NCOE level, I am confident we can achieve this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pritam believes the Indian women\u2019s team has a very bright future and, with the right focus and support, can achieve Olympic success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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