India’s Rani Rampal nominated for ‘World Games Athlete of the Year’ award

According to Hockey India, the FIH recommended Rani’s name for her outstanding performances and her ability to lead by example.

Rani Rampal is a “huge inspiration to many in the country,” says Hockey India president Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad.

Rani Rampal, the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, has been nominated for the ‘World Games Athlete of the Year’ award by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Twenty-five athletes have been nominated for this award from their respective sports by their international federations. The FIH has recommended Rani’s name for her outstanding performances and her ability to lead by example, Hockey India said in a statement. “We at Hockey India are elated by the news of Rani being nominated for the World Games Athlete of the Year 2019. She indeed is a huge inspiration to many in the country and has made her own mark in the sport,” stated Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, president, Hockey India.

The winner will be decided by online voting which closes on January 30.

‘Vote for Rani’

“We hope this nomination comes as an inspiration to many other aspiring players who wish to emulate Rani’s success. We urge all hockey fans to vote for Rani and also continue to support Rani and the Indian women’s team as they prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he added.

Rani helped India qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. It will be the first time that the team will participate in two consecutive Games.

This will be the sixth edition of the WGA initiative that recognises and honours an athlete or a team for their outstanding performance or for their social commitment or particularly, fair behaviour.

Last year, Acrobatic Gymnastics couple Mariia Chernova and Georgii Pataraia (Russia) won the title with 159,348 votes, just ahead of American Powerlifter Jennifer Thompson — 152,865 votes.