Rani Rampal becomes the first Indian woman player to have a stadium named after her

A stadium has been built in the name of Indian hockey player Rani Rampal in Rae Bareli, UP. She has become the first female player to receive this honor. MCF Rae Bareli has now been renamed as 'Rani's Girls Hockey Turf'.

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Rani Rampal has shared pictures related to this stadium on her social media handle. In the pictures, Rani is interacting with the players and inaugurating the stadium along with other staff members. Rani wrote on her Twitter handle, "I want to inform you all that MCF Rae Bareli has changed the name of the hockey stadium to 'Rani Girls Hockey Turf' to honor my contribution to hockey. Words are too few to express my happiness and gratitude."

"It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I have become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium named after her. I dedicate this to the Indian women's hockey team and I hope it inspires the generations to come." Expressing her gratitude further, Rani Rampal added.

Rani Rampal made a comeback to the Indian team during the tour of South Africa earlier this year after playing against Belgium in the FIH Women's Hockey Pro League 2021-22. She won her 250th cap in the tournament. The 28-year-old Rani had been battling injuries since the Tokyo Olympics. She also could not be a part of the World Cup and Commonwealth Games squads. Now she is returning to international hockey again.

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Rani Rampal was born in the factory that produces women's hockey players in droves, the town of Shahbad in the Kurukshetra district of Haryana. Dronacharya awardee Baldev Singh coached Rani during her early years.

In addition, Rani Rampal made her senior debut when she was just 14 years old. She was the youngest player in the team. She has represented India 250 times, also serving as the captain in the past when she led India to the Asian Games silver medal in the 2018 Games. Rani Rampal was also the flag bearer of the Indian contingent at the closing ceremony of those games.