![\"Yavatmal](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131977215,imgsize-80845,width-400,height-225,resizemode-72\/whatsapp-image-2026-06-24-at-103915-pm1jpeg.jpg\" "\\"Yavatmal\u2019s")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNagpur: Holding a hockey stick for the first time as a 10-year-old while playing with school friends in 2015, Tanushree Kadu could hardly have imagined the journey ahead \u2014 one that would take her from a struggling village home in Yavatmal to the cusp of representing India on the international stage.Now 20, Tanushree has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first girl from Yavatmal and only the second player from the district after Akash Chikte to be selected for the Indian junior women\u2019s hockey team. Hockey India recently named her in the 24-member squad for an exposure tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14. Under new coach Tim White, the team will play seven matches across Scotland and England, preparing for key upcoming tournaments such as the Junior Asia Cup.<\/p>\n Yavatmal\u2019s Tanushree Kadu in action during a tournament<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Born to a tailor\u2019s family in Lohara, Tanushree grew up in a cramped home without proper basic amenities like a toilet, facing financial hardship from an early age. Her father, Dinesh Kadu, who earns barely Rs500 on a good day, made sure she continued pursuing sports. He would drop her at the bus stand each day, from where she travelled 5-6 km with friends to reach Abhyankar Kanya Shala. It was here that her talent caught the attention of school hockey coach Sahid Sayed.. \u201cI spotted her talent when she was around 10 and trained her through those formative years,\u201d said Sahid. Under his guidance, Tanushree developed the stamina and discipline that would later define her game.A major turning point came in 2019 when she represented Maharashtra in the sub-junior nationals. Three years later Tanushree was selected for Krida Prabodhini in Pune, a premier sports training institute. There, she trained under former India player Ajit Lakra, who recognised her exceptional stamina and tactical awareness. \u201cTanu has a warehouse of stamina for a midfielder and I made her switch the role of a forward,\u201d Lakra said.In 2024, Tanushree was selected by Sports Authority of India (SAI) for the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for Women\u2019s Hockey in Mumbai. Her SAI senior coach, Pramod Shingade, said, \u201cTanushree moves with exceptional fluidity \u2014 attacking in one moment, defending the next. I am sure she will bring laurels to the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n Tanushree Kadu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Before earning her national colours, Tanushree had already represented Hockey Maharashtra at six national championships. Last year she was a member of the all-SAI team for an exposure trip to the Netherlands.Despite her remarkable progress, Tanushree remains grounded. She dedicated her achievement to the support of her coaches and institutions \u2014 from Yavatmal to Pune, Mumbai, and now Bengaluru. With the help of the Khelo India scheme, she now receives a Rs10,000 stipend, easing the financial burden on her family.Speaking with TOI from Bengaluru, Tanushree said, \u201cMy ultimate dream is to represent India in the Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n Tanushree Kadu dribbles the ball during a practice session<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Tanushree\u2019s school sports teacher, Avinash Joshi, remembers the struggles vividly. He said, \u201cWhat she has achieved despite everything is simply extraordinary. She would often be on the verge of dropping out. She didn\u2019t even have T-shirts and track pants to train.\u201d Khelo India\u2019s coach Gaurav Nibalkar adds Tanushree was very focused and strong.Her father is overwhelmed with pride. \u201cOn a good day I barely make Rs 500, managing a family of four. But we encouraged her just as we would have encouraged a son. When she comes home, I will prepare a nice dress for Tanushree as a gift for making all of us proud,\u201d he said.Remembering her early days, Tanushree said, \u201cMy parents never stopped me from playing. My dad used to give me some amount for travelling and snacks and I used to make some savings from that to buy sports-related goods.\u201d<\/div>\n![\"WhatsApp](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-131977216\/whatsapp-image-2026-06-24-at-10-39-15-pm-jpeg.jpg\" "\\"Yavatmal\u2019s")
<\/p>\n![\"Tanushree](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-131977217\/tanushree-kadu-jpeg.jpg\" "\\"Tanushree")
<\/p>\n![\"Tanushree](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-131977214\/tanushree-kadu-hockey-jpeg.jpg\" "\\"Tanushree")
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