DEFENDING DREAMS!

From the hockey-loving lanes of Imphal to international turf, SUMAN DEVI THOUDAM has come a long way. Kayal Arivalan speaks to the champion about her dreams and goals

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Born and raised in Singjamei Monkhanglambi, Imphal, Suman Devi Thoudam, defender in the Indian women's hockey team, grew up in a household where hockey was more than just a sport. Her father, himself a former hockey player, became her first and strongest influence. “My father played a huge role in my journey,” she shares. “Even though I never saw him play, his passion for the sport was always present in our home.” With her parents’ constant encouragement, hockey soon became Suman's calling.

She moved to Delhi alone at a young age and that came with its own hurdles. “The biggest challenge for me early on was the language barrier. Facing everything on my own felt overwhelming,” she recalls. Yet, those difficult years shaped her independence and mental toughness, which is reflected in her game.