New Delhi: Star India women’s hockey player Rani Rampal was bestowed with massive honour as she became the first woman in the sport to have a stadium named after her. The sports facility is situiating in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. While previously the stadium was named the ‘MCF Rae Bareli’, it has now been renamed as ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’.

Rani shared photos on her social media handles, where she is seen interacting with the players and inaugurating the stadium alongside other staff members.

“Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to “Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf to honour my contribution to hockey,” Rani wrote on her Twitter handle.

Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to “Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf “to honour my contribution to hockey. pic.twitter.com/sSt59EwDJA

— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) March 20, 2023

Expressing her gratitude further, she said, “It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium to my name. I dedicate this to the Indian women’s hockey team and I hope this inspires the next generation of women hockey players!” Rani made a comeback to the Indian team during the tour of South Africa earlier this year, when she was included in a 22-member squad.

Rani was returning to the squad after last playing against Belgium in the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League 2021-22, where she won her 250th cap for India.

The 28-year-old had been dealing with a injury since the Tokyo Olympics, where she was the captain of the Indian women’s contingent, and was subsequently left out of the World Cup and Commonwealth Games 2022 squads.

(With inputs from news agency PTI)