New Delhi

For India’s stalwart women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, the Padma Shri is not just a national accolade—it is a testament to years of perseverance, sacrifice, and the unwavering support of her family.

Known as the “Wall of Indian Hockey” and the first Indian woman goalkeeper to play over 300 international matches, Savita’s journey began far from the limelight in Sirsa, Haryana.

“My entire journey flashes back in my mind—the struggles, the victories, and the support of my family. Today, I feel their sacrifices have not gone in vain,” the 35-year-old told PTI Bhasha.

Her story began in 2003 when, following a teacher’s suggestion, her father took her to hockey trials in Sirsa. She was selected, but the road ahead was fraught with challenges. At home, her mother battled severe arthritis, and Savita took on household responsibilities while balancing her training. She even considered quitting the sport.

Her coach, Sundar Singh Kharab, suggested she switch to goalkeeping, but the academy lacked the budget for a kit. “My father bought me a kit worth Rs 18,000—his two-month salary. I cried, knowing the sacrifice. That day, I promised myself I had to make it to the Indian team for my parents,” Savita recalled.

In 2008, she became the first girl from Sirsa to join the national team. The news in the local newspaper carried her grandfather’s name; he learned to read at 67 from her niece to understand the achievement. That moment became a lifelong motivation.

Success did not ease financial pressures. Savita remained unemployed for a decade after joining the team, enduring both financial strain and societal skepticism. She remembers her first international trip, supported by borrowed funds from her family, and incidents of humiliation that nearly ended her career.

Recognition came gradually: the Arjuna Award in 2018, three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, and crossing the 300-match milestone, though the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna remained elusive. The Padma Shri, she says, fills that void—not just for her, but for her family.

Married to Canada-based musician Ankit Balhara, Savita credits her in-laws for understanding her sporting commitments. Even during the 2022 Nations Cup final, when her father-in-law underwent bypass surgery, her family shielded her from the news, allowing her to focus on the game.

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As Savita prepares to enter Rashtrapati Bhavan for the Padma Shri ceremony, she carries not just medals, but the quiet strength and resilience of a family that never let her dreams fade.