Bhopal: Krishna Sharma had stepped onto a Gwalior field in a skirt, for the first time, as women hockey players typically do, when she was sneered at and treated with jeers and catcalls. Detractors in her own community jumped at her choice of attire to question not only her seriousness but also whether a girl had any place in a sport, in the first place.She chose to remain silent then but has now answered with her stick, as she has been named in the India Under‑21 women’s hockey squad announced on Wednesday for a tour of Scotland’s capital Edinburgh.Her selection, on Wednesday, stood not only as vindication of her talent and ability but also a silent pushback against a narrow, misogynist mindset.Named a forward in the India U‑21 squad for the UK tour next month, the Gwalior girl will pit her skills against fellow age-group equals representing different European teams, including the USA, England and Belgium, at the University of Edinburgh and the Lilleshall National Sports Centre.The exposure tour is especially significant for Hockey India, as it would help them assess the age-group talents coming through ahead of picking the national squad for forthcoming international assignments.The young squad will be led by captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu, also a product MP women hockey academy.
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“My selection for the national Under‑21 team feels like a dream coming true,” Krishna told TOI after the squad announcement, adding, “All the hard work, early morning practices, and the many sacrifices have finally paid off. I want to make my family, coaches and the city proud.”The ridicule that came Krishna’s way as she turned out in a skirt while training and playing could easily have thrown other athletes her age off their sporting dreams. However, she stood her ground, backed by the solid support system back home.Her father, Sunil Sharma, a security supervisor, stood firm with her. “We come from a humble background. Despite a lot of criticism over her skirt, I wanted to make my daughter’s dream come true. She will be the first in our family to travel overseas,” he said.Her coaches said Krishna’s selection was purely on merit and a reward for the performances at age-group levels.Vandana, her coach at the U‑21 Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, praised her technical and tactical attributes. “Krishna is a dynamic forward with great anticipation and a strong work ethic,” she said, adding, “Her quick footwork, intelligent positioning, and composure under pressure made her stand out during trials and tournaments.”Local sports officials in Gwalior hailed her selection as a milestone for women’s sport in the region, hoping that Krishna’s ascent will persuade more parents to support girls who wish to pursue athletics. “Her journey sends a strong message that talent and resilience transcend stereotypes,” said another coach.As she prepares to travel overseas, Krishna remains focused on improvement and contribution to the national team. “I want to keep learning and scoring goals for India,” she said.For a young player who turned taunts into steely determination, Edinburgh will be another stage to write the next chapter of a career that began on the dusty fields of Gwalior.
