Pooja Yadav: Trailblazing Woman from Purvanchal Joins Indian Hockey Team
Pooja Yadav Makes History in Indian Hockey
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 18: At just 21 years old, Pooja Yadav has made history as the first woman from the Purvanchal region to be selected for the Indian hockey team, according to a press release from Hockey India.
She has been part of the senior national training camp at SAI in Bengaluru for several weeks, and her dedication has secured her a place in the 26-member Indian Women’s Hockey squad for the upcoming tour to Australia, set to occur from April 26 to May 4, 2025, at the Perth Hockey Stadium.
Expressing her excitement about the selection, Pooja stated, as reported by Hockey India, “It was an overwhelming moment when I found out I was chosen for the national team. My phone started buzzing with calls from home. My family, especially my parents and siblings, were ecstatic because this achievement felt like a distant dream, but now they are incredibly proud of me.”
“Being the first female player from Purvanchal to join the Indian team fills me with pride. I hope my journey inspires other girls from rural backgrounds to pursue their dreams without hesitation. I encourage their families to support them, as with dedication and training, we can witness more women athletes emerging from Purvanchal,” she added.
Pooja was initially selected in a 65-member core probable group and has been training alongside senior players since March 23, 2025. Reflecting on her training experience, she remarked, “Training with senior players has been fantastic. Observing their techniques and following their lead has significantly enhanced my skills. They are approachable and always willing to share tips for improvement.”
She also acknowledged the influence of her roommate, Neha, on her development. “As a midfielder, I have always admired Sushila di and Neha di, and now training with them feels surreal. Neha di, who shares my room, has been a great mentor, guiding me both on and off the field. She has provided valuable advice on diet, game strategies, and shared insights from her extensive experience with the Indian team.”
Pooja comes from a modest background in a rural village near Varanasi. Her hockey journey began in 2015 when she played for her school. In 2022, she was selected for the junior squad of Uttar Pradesh Hockey and later advanced to the senior state team. Although she missed out on the Indian junior team several times, her impressive performances at the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025 led to her inclusion in the senior national camp. Reflecting on her early days, she shared, “I played a lot of cricket as a child, but my passion for hockey ignited when I played at my school. I represented the state junior team and then the senior team, and I’m grateful that I made it directly to the senior squad.”
“My current goal is to excel and seize every opportunity during the Australia tour. I aim to perform well and secure my place for the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches,” Pooja concluded.