Ujagar ali

Hockey India Junior Women Academy: Young midfielder Hina Bano may have missed out on the Junior Women's Asia Cup 2024 squad due to rehab and match fitness challenges, but she is determined to make her mark in the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League 2024-25, scheduled to take place from January 12 to 26, 2025 in Ranchi.

Set to represent Soorma Hockey Club, Bano's journey is nothing short of inspiration. The 20-year-old midfielder has carved her path in hockey on her own terms, overcoming family resistance and societal pressures.

"Looking back, the journey wasn’t easy," said the Lucknow-born player. "I was very young when my father passed away, and since then, we have been living at my grandparents’ house. My grandfather, Ujagar Ali, who worked as a barber for army personnel, has taken care of everything."