Kho kho
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From Kho Kho To Hockey, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal’s Inspiring Rise In Indian Women’s Hockey Team
FIH Hockey World Cup: At just 23, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal has already established herself as a regular in the senior Indian women’s hockey team, emerging as an influential presence in the midfield and has been included in the squad for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad, Telangana, scheduled from March 8 to 14.
Hailing from Phaltan, a small village in the Satara district in Maharashtra, Rutaja's journey into hockey began somewhat unexpectedly. “Before hockey, we used to play Kho Kho in school. It is very popular in Maharashtra. Our teachers noticed that we could run well and had good stamina, and they encouraged us to get into hockey. From there my journey began,” she shared.
"I started playing when I was around 12 years old. I had to give a fitness and endurance test to get into my academy in Pune. I passed the test and that is where I started playing hockey,” she added.
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