Hockey, Women’s Junior Asia Cup: Mumtaz Khan forgets the pain and sadness to savour the joy of gold

When Mumtaz Khan made up her mind as a kid that she wanted to make a name for herself playing hockey, her mother Qaiser Jahan wasn’t very keen. Mumtaz was adamant though as she once sneaked out during a family function to appear for a selection trial. It was her sister Farah who then convinced their mother to give Mumtaz one chance. If it worked out, let her continue with the sport.

On Sunday, in Japan’s Kakamigahara, Mumtaz Khan stood in the front of the line of Indian athletes with a goofy smile and the victory symbol. That line was that of the gold medallists at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup. For the first time in this tournament’s history, India were champions. And Mumtaz played her part in it, scoring six goals during the tournament and winning a penalty stroke in the final against Korea that gave India the lead.

And when the time came to celebrate the medal, Mumtaz knew who to call up first.

“There wasn’t WiFi there at the venue so the moment I came to the hotel, the first call went to mother,” Mumtaz told Scroll. “I knew she was waiting for the call, praying for me and for my team, that we win and come back. The...

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