Latest news with #PratimaBarwa
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Pratima Barwa, the coach who gave wings to Adivasi hockey players
Chances are that most outside the modest Indian hockey universe would not have heard of Pratima Barwa. Perhaps she preferred it that way. Barwa, who passed away on Sunday aged 44 due to a brain haemorrhage, dedicated her life to hockey. She did what few could — identify and nurture young talents in one of the sport's biggest catchment areas, Jharkhand's Simdega. Because of her efforts, Indian hockey is in a better place — three players, including captain Salima Tete, are currently part of the national team that is in Europe for the FIH Pro League. Grassroots coaching is one of the most unglamorous parts of sport because of the lack of incentive. Yet, without such coaches, the sporting ecosystem would be a non-starter. Selfless coaches like Barwa, who was from Khunti, have kept Indian hockey running. Her academy was rudimentary, and some of the coaching methods were, possibly, archaic. But Barwa, described as a 'mother figure' by her wards, did something far more impactful — she got children hooked to hockey and gave wings to their dreams. Barwa's own aspirations to play for India were unfulfilled. She played for Bihar in the early 1990s. However, a left knee ligament injury in 1995 cut short her playing career. She then promised herself that she would help young players from the region. Barwa's journey as a coach began in 2008 after she completed a diploma from the National Institute of Sport in Patiala. A job with the Jharkhand government as a coach took her to Simdega, and the hard yards began. From sunrise to sunset, she would travel to schools and villages where there was the slightest promise of talent, convince the families to let their child play hockey and then groom them into world-class talents. Barwa never got the recognition she deserved. Her legacy will, however, be there for all to see each time the Indian team steps onto the hockey field.
India Today
01-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Hockey coach Pratima Barwa, mentor to many international players, dies in Ranchi
Hockey coach Pratima Barwa, who groomed a number of international players, including Indian Women's Hockey Team captain Salima Tete, died at a Ranchi hospital on Sunday, officials not only mentored Tete but a number of international players from Jharkhand including Beauty Dungdung and Sangita passed away at a private hospital in Ranchi where she had been admitted following a paralytic attack and was on ventilator support at the time of her Expressing deep sorrow over her demise, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren posted on X, "The untimely demise of Hockey coach Pratima Barwa ji, who nurtured several talented international players from Jharkhand and the country, is extremely saddening. She was a role model for the hardworking daughters of Jharkhand. Her passing is an irreparable loss not only for the state but also for Indian hockey.""May Marang Buru (the supreme tribal deity) grant peace to her soul and give strength to the bereaved family," he India general secretary Bhola Nath Singh also mourned her loss, stating, "This is not just the passing of a coach, but the end of an era in Jharkhand's hockey legacy. Her contribution to the game, especially through players like Salima Tete and many others, is immeasurable."advertisementEchoing similar sentiments, Hockey Jharkhand general secretary Vijay Shankar Singh said, "The players mentored by Pratima Barwa have brought immense pride to the nation. Her contribution to the sport in Jharkhand was truly transformative."Barwa served as the head coach at the residential hockey training centre in Khunti and worked extensively in Simdega, playing a critical role in establishing Jharkhand as a prominent centre for Indian hockey passing has sparked a wave of mourning across the sporting fraternity, both in Jharkhand and across India.
