Nausheen Naz: Rising Star of Indian Hockey Overcomes Adversity

Nausheen Naz Shines in Hockey Championship

In the recently held 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women’s National Championship 2026, Nausheen Naz emerged as a standout player, dominating the scoring charts.

The 15-year-old forward from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, showcased her exceptional skills by finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with an impressive total of nine goals, as reported in an official release.

Currently participating in the U-18 National Coaching Camp at SAI Bhopal, Nausheen's ascent to the national level reflects her unwavering determination. Her journey is marked by a strong will to overcome financial challenges and societal biases.

For Nausheen, her entry into hockey was driven by creativity rather than access to top-notch equipment. Inspired by her older sister, Tahoor Naz, she was eager to play but initially lacked a proper hockey stick.

“I expressed my desire to play to my sister, but we couldn’t afford a stick. I discovered a broken one on the ground and took it home. I had it repaired by a local blacksmith using a nail, allowing me to practice for a year before finally receiving a proper stick from a day-boarding program,” Nausheen reminisces.

Coming from a modest background, Nausheen faced additional hurdles due to financial instability. Her father has worked various jobs, including as a vegetable seller and truck driver, and currently assists in transporting cartons to support the family. Beyond financial issues, Nausheen also confronted societal challenges in her community.

“My family is very poor, and in my community, there is little encouragement for girls to engage in sports. Many believed that girls shouldn’t play outside. It became so discouraging that I stopped playing for two years and helped my father sell vegetables,” she explains.

It was her mother’s steadfast support that ultimately encouraged her return to the sport. “My mother was my pillar of strength. She urged my father to support my passion and disregard the naysayers. Thanks to her, I was able to join the Gwalior Women’s Hockey Academy and eventually reach this camp,” Nausheen shares.

Emphasizing the significance of the tournament, which is backed by Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, Nausheen stated, “This competition is crucial for young athletes like us. It provides a platform to showcase our abilities and develop in the sport. Competing here has instilled in me the confidence that I can achieve my dreams through hard work.”

Now training under the mentorship of former Indian Captain Rani Rampal at the Bhopal camp, Nausheen is dedicated to honing her skills. For a girl who has often borrowed shoes from teammates when her own wore out, training alongside her idol is transformative.

“I have gained so much knowledge from Rani ma’am. She teaches with clarity—like how to effectively stop the ball while running and maintain control on the move. I aspire to emulate her; she has competed at the highest level and understands what we need to progress,” the young striker expresses.

Despite the difficulties of living in a rented home and managing with limited resources, Nausheen's determination remains steadfast as she aims for a place on the team for the U18 Asia Cup Kakamigahara 2026.

“My ambition is to represent India so that I can support my parents and relieve my father of his hard work. I want to demonstrate that with passion, no obstacle can hinder your path,” she concludes.