Kakamigahara , , More than ending India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games women’s hockey gold, veteran India goalkeeper Savita Punia said securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the team’s overriding objective, with the new coaching set-up transforming the side’s environment, unity and belief over the last 10 months. India’s 1-0 victory over defending champions and Olympic silver medallists China in the final on Friday not only brought an end to a long-standing gold medal drought but also ensured the team would have nearly two years to prepare for the Los Angeles Games without the burden of Olympic qualification hanging over them.
“A lot has changed in the last 10 months. Because of a personal reason, but the coach called me back and trusted me, “I had left the camp. Wayne and I also had a long conversation. I remember all those moments. The two shared the podium after the final, with Savita handing her medal to the younger goalkeeper, a gesture that reflected both their bond and the captain’s faith in her successor.”We have a very good bond, and that is our strength. We are not opponents; we are competitors who train together. When Bichu is standing in goal, she is standing for India. She is very hardworking, and she comes from a similar background to mine. My best wishes and advice will always be with her. That clarity of purpose, coupled with a change in the coaching setup, has helped India rediscover its confidence and cohesion. The biggest thing, from my perspective, has been the team environment. We worked a lot on unity, and after the new coaches came in, the team became more united. Savita credited the entire support staff, including the trainers and other members of the backroom team, for reinforcing the players’ belief in their own abilities. “Everyone, including the coaches, trainers and the entire support staff, kept telling us that this team was very capable. When coaches trust you, the players become more relaxed. The change in approach was evident during India’s campaign at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, where the team competed against some of the world’s leading sides. “I want to thank Wayne Lombard. After my ankle injury, he helped me with my rehabilitation. Everyone knows how important footwork is for a goalkeeper.
I was brought back with a lot of faith, and I knew I had to do something for this team,” she said.The captain’s contribution extended beyond her performance between the posts, with her relationship with Bichu Devi emerging as another defining feature of India’s goalkeeping unit. When I am standing there, I am also standing for India,” Savita said.”I have always treated her like my younger sister, and she treats me like an elder sister. I have immense respect for the effort she has put in.”Savita said she wanted Bichu to carry forward the legacy of Indian goalkeeping and serve the country for as long as she had.”I definitely want Bichu to carry on after me. I want her to play for India for as long as I have,” she said. The transformation, according to the skipper, has been as much about the team’s mindset and dressing-room atmosphere as it has been about tactical improvements on the pitch. The coaches worked day and night for this,” she said. The confidence shown by the coaching staff, she said, had a direct impact on the players, allowing them to approach matches with greater freedom. You begin to believe that you are genuinely good enough,” she said. At that time, Wayne was not even part of our team, but he still took the decision to help me recover,” she said.
