Lambi Ahir, a small village in Rajasthan, has become a surprising focal point for change, thanks to the efforts of Neeru Yadav, the village head, who is challenging deep-rooted gender norms to provide young girls with opportunities in sports.
After being elected ‘sarpanch’ (village head) in 2022, Yadav, 34, noticed that despite a growing interest in hockey among local girls, they faced significant barriers to playing the sport — namely, a lack of facilities, family support, and community acceptance.
In a region where girls are often expected to focus on household chores and early marriage, Yadav has taken it upon herself to offer a different path. “I saw the potential in these girls, and I wanted to give them a chance that I never had,” Yadav explained to the i newspaper.
She established a local hockey training programme, securing a coach and even driving the girls to a nearby university ground for daily practice sessions.
Her initiative, which started with just eight girls, has now grown to include 20 young players, aged 10 to 19, many of whom now view hockey as a potential career.
Despite initial resistance from conservative families, the programmd is starting to shift attitudes. One of the players, 17-year-old Pooja Yadav, recently participated in a state-level tournament, a milestone that has boosted her confidence.
“Hockey has changed my mindset. I now believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to,” she said.
Yadav’s efforts have not only given the girls a platform to pursue sports but have also contributed to the construction of a new sports ground in the village, which will support both hockey and cricket training.
However, Yadav remains mindful of the challenges ahead, acknowledging that changing the mindset of families who prioritize marriage over education and sports for their daughters will take time.
Still, the young athletes of Lambi Ahir are determined to prove that girls from rural villages can achieve greatness in sports and beyond. “We want to show that we can bring pride to our village and make a name for ourselves in the world of hockey,” said 17-year-old Sonu Yadav.
“It was really tough to bring these girls to the practice ground in the initial days but I am happy that my hard work has started to pay off,” added Neeru.
“I am trying my best to teach hockey to them that would not only make their families proud but also change the mentality of several thousands of people who think that girls are born only to learn household chores, get married and raise families.”
More at hockeywalisarpanch.com
