Pratima Barwa: A Legacy in Indian Hockey

Pratima Barwa, who passed away recently at 44 due to a brain haemorrhage, was a pivotal figure in Indian hockey, particularly in nurturing young talent in Jharkhand's Simdega.

Contribution to Hockey

• Barwa identified and mentored young talents, helping Indian hockey flourish with players like captain Salima Tete making it to the national team.
• Her efforts have led to three players from her area currently being part of the national team competing in the FIH Pro League in Europe.

Grassroots Coaching

Grassroots coaching is often overlooked due to lack of incentives, yet it forms the backbone of the sporting ecosystem.

• Barwa, from Khunti, was among the selfless coaches who kept Indian hockey going despite limited resources and rudimentary setups.
• She was a "mother figure" to many, inspiring children to pursue hockey passionately.

Personal Background

• Barwa's personal dream of playing for India was curtailed by a knee injury in 1995.
• Despite her own setback, she vowed to support young players, beginning her coaching career in 2008 after obtaining a diploma from the National Institute of Sport in Patiala.

Coaching Journey

• She took up a coaching role with the Jharkhand government, working in Simdega to find and nurture talent from schools and villages.
• Barwa dedicated her time from dawn till dusk, convincing families to support their children's hockey aspirations and grooming them into world-class players.

Legacy

Though she may not have received widespread recognition, Barwa's legacy lives on through the players she developed, evident every time the Indian team plays hockey on the international stage.