"I am grateful for all that hockey has offered to me," - Indian Women's Hockey Team goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo 

Madhuri Kindo, the 22-year-old Indian Women's Hockey Team goalkeeper, was recently promoted from the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team to the senior team. She put up a brilliant performance in the assessment camp in April earlier this year, which helped in bringing about her promotion.

Madhuri hails from Birmitrapur, Odisha, which is an hour's drive away from the Majestic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. Her father Shankar Kindo is a farmer.

Her brother Manoj Kindo's hockey skills inspired her to take up the sport. Following his footsteps, Madhuri grabbed the hockey stick and enrolled in the Panposh Sports Hostel in 2012. Having initially joined as a defender, her athletic prowess and quick reflexes propelled her to transition into a goalkeeper.

She had to go through several outings in the National Championships from Odisha, following which Madhuri Kindo finally earned her maiden call-up to the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team in 2021. She performed well in the Junior Women's Asia Cup in 2023 in Japan, where the team won the gold medal as well. Her heroics in the tournament grabbed the attention of recruiters as she received a job offer from Western Railways in Mumbai as well.

Madhuri highlighted the importance of hockey in her life, stating that the sport has offered a lot to her apart from just the monetary benefits.

“In Birmitrapur we had two houses without a concrete roof and the only steady income in the family was that of my brother Manoj. He undertook all the expenses of building a new house for close to a year and after receiving the job offer from Western Railways, I could finally share the load with him. It was fulfilling to be able to help my brother through the sport that he introduced me to. I am grateful for all that hockey has offered to me in terms of income, respect in the community, and a sense of achievement,” she said, according to Hockey India.

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Madhuri Kindo makes it to the Senior Indian Women's Hockey Team

Madhuri Kindo played a key role against New Zealand at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 (Image via Hockey India)

Madhuri Kindo sealed her spot in the Railway Sports Promotion Board hockey team. Additionally, she also leaped forward, making it to the Indian Women's Hockey Team post an assessment camp held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Bengaluru in April this year.

Madhuri spoke about the difference between the junior and the senior team, and how training with the seniors has helped her. She is also keen to play against top teams and help India win matches.

“The difference between the Junior and Senior Teams is not that steep as I have seniors in the team, like Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki to help me with my game. Watching them train intensely every day has helped me gain more knowledge of the game at the highest level.

"I have a lot of room for improvement and as I strive to make a place for myself in the squad, I am working on my weaknesses so that I can help the team win in the future. I am eager to play against the best teams around the world,” Madhuri Kindo concluded.