![\"Gwalior](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131971489,imgsize-130687,width-400,height-225,resizemode-72\/hockey-4jfif.jpg\" "\\"Krishna\\"")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBhopal: 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\u201121 women\u2019s hockey squad announced on Wednesday for a tour of Scotland\u2019s 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\u201121 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.<\/p>\n Krishna new<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMy selection for the national Under\u201121 team feels like a dream coming true,\u201d Krishna told TOI after the squad announcement, adding, \u201cAll 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.\u201dThe ridicule that came Krishna\u2019s 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. \u201cWe come from a humble background. Despite a lot of criticism over her skirt, I wanted to make my daughter\u2019s dream come true. She will be the first in our family to travel overseas,\u201d he said.Her coaches said Krishna\u2019s selection was purely on merit and a reward for the performances at age-group levels.Vandana, her coach at the U\u201121 Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, praised her technical and tactical attributes. \u201cKrishna is a dynamic forward with great anticipation and a strong work ethic,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cHer quick footwork, intelligent positioning, and composure under pressure made her stand out during trials and tournaments.\u201dLocal sports officials in Gwalior hailed her selection as a milestone for women\u2019s sport in the region, hoping that Krishna\u2019s ascent will persuade more parents to support girls who wish to pursue athletics. \u201cHer journey sends a strong message that talent and resilience transcend stereotypes,\u201d said another coach.As she prepares to travel overseas, Krishna remains focused on improvement and contribution to the national team. \u201cI want to keep learning and scoring goals for India,\u201d 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.<\/div>\n![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-131971490\/hockey-2-jfif.jpg\" "\\"Krishna")
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