If Mumtaz Khan hadn’t been discovered at a racing competition at her school in 2011 it would be difficult to imagine which path her life would have taken. The 17-year old from Lucknow, Utter Pradesh in India is the daughter of vegetable vendors, often making a humble but unpredictable living. She describes how she was spotted by Neelam Siddiqui who told her father to put her into a sport like Hockey. This special potential is what has amplified Mumtaz as one of the voices in Indian junior women’s hockey as she strives to win gold at the olympics and help her family along the way.

Mumtaz has shown herself to be a class-act scoring 10 goals to secure the silver medal for India at the Bueno Aires Youth Olympics in 2018. The importance of initiatives like the Khelo India under 21’s women league, which is organised by Hockey India with participation on a first come first serve basis, is that it allows young girls to get more involved in games, socialise and develop their skills. Furthermore through these competitions, held in three phases, the teams will be able to play at a higher level with consideration for the national Indian team. The proof is in the pudding as athletes like Mumtaz already display speedy tactics, evident by her scoring abilities which is a good complement to a level headed mindset as she plans to take her time with everything. Here the importance of training is exemplified as the approach to sport especially for young women encompasses so much more than physical but also mental.

Exposure is key and simply encouraging girls to play at any level can create an encouraging atmosphere in batting sports like hockey. Hockey India is now the governing body on hockey for both men and women in all activities as well as receiving hosting rights from the International Hockey Federation. They also provide a variety of opportunities like Scholarships for athletes with bonus points as an incentive for successful completion of these awards. As well as this an online academy for prospective athletes is available and the potential for high level collaborations with other sporting institutes would be of great benefit to any sportsperson alike. All of these opportunities will make a positive impact for young Indian women interested in pursuing Hockey as it paints sport as a way of life: through hard work and determination they can excel well enough to enjoy it whilst making a career for themselves. Mumtaz herself was one lucky enough to receive such sponsorship as she was enrolled into the Lucknow Hostel in India training under the trained eye of Neelam Siddiqui.

Mumtaz’s level-headed demeanour will take her far as she continues to pace herself carefully towards her goals. As a member of the Indian junior women’s team she has already been praised by the Honourable Prime minister of India Narenda Modi for her performance at the 3rd Youth Olympic Games. But what makes Mumtaz’s story, is the amount of support she has gotten from her team and her family. The importance of fostering a keen interest in a young girl like Mumtaz was crucial as around the age of 16 is when girls usually quit due to educational reasons or just lack of interest. However Mumtaz’s support network seems to have paid off tremendously as she continues to speak highly of her parents support for her sporting ambitions.

Scouting talent, coaching, support networks and incentives are all part of the bigger frame of things that will help young female athletes like Mumtaz achieve their goals. Support is especially key as this is needed to push individuals forward and see the progression of young women in sports like Hockey.

Sport has the ability to help people achieve the incredible so hopefully Mumtaz can win gold for India at the Olympics and make her family proud too.

Words by Funmi Olagunju