Whereas rising up, Magnificence Dungdung would usually see her dad and mom go to mattress on an empty abdomen. For Ambrose and Nilima, it was extra necessary to feed their 4 youngsters than have supper themselves. “I by no means felt good however couldn’t assist it. The monetary state of affairs of my household wasn’t nice,” mentioned Magnificence.
Ambrose and Nilima didn’t simply cease there. Believing within the expertise of their youngsters – all of whom performed hockey – Ambrose mortgaged his land, borrowed cash and left his farm work in Jharkhand to work as a labourer in Maharashtra and Goa to fund the aspirations of his youngsters. Since Nilima is partially paralysed, the siblings tried to assist by taking on farm duties on another person’s land.
Shakti, Juwel, Sachin and Magnificence vowed to make the sacrifices of their dad and mom’ rely. Whereas the eldest brother performed inter-district and Juwel reached the nationwide degree, Sachin went a step additional by getting chosen for the junior nationwide camp, the place he nonetheless trains.
But it surely was Magnificence who grew to become the primary Dungdung to make the enormous leap from the small village of Karangaguri-Bajutoli from the tribal district of Simdega to the Indian hockey group. Final week, Hockey India (HI) introduced that the 19-year-old will make her debut on the Nations Cup subsequent month as she was named a part of the 20-member squad that can journey to Valencia. “It’s an important feeling to be chosen for India. My household couldn’t imagine it. My mom was crying. It was one of many happiest moments of my life,” mentioned Magnificence.
The start
With hockey in her blood, it was solely a matter of time earlier than Magnificence picked up the stick. Her grandparents, dad and mom, aunt and uncle, brothers, sister-in-law – all performed hockey until both the district or nationwide degree. As well as, it was necessary to take up the game at school. “If we didn’t, we had been punished and made to stroll on our knees from the college gate to our class. I used to be terrified of that,” she mentioned.
However regardless of that Magnificence did not have the posh of a hockey stick. “My brothers didn’t give me theirs saying I’ll get damage. Plus, sticks used to get stolen. I used to be very younger and my household wasn’t positive if I get one, I’d have the ability to maintain it protected,” says Magnificence, who performs as a ahead.
Her father then determined to make stands proud of bamboo for Magnificence, who began taking part in from the age of 5. Quickly, her household realised the pure expertise the younger woman had.
Understanding Magnificence’s potential to go the space, Ambrose determined to mortgage his land and take up a mortgage to fund his daughter’s profession. Magnificence was despatched to the SS Balika Excessive College within the district headquarters of Simdega which has the one synthetic turf within the area. She joined the day boarding centre beneath coach Pratima Barwa, who additionally coaches the junior state group and has produced India internationals like Salima Tete and Sangita Kumari.
Becoming a member of the centre proved to be the turning level in Magnificence’s profession. It was in Simdega – the cradle of Jharkhand hockey – that Magnificence obtained uncovered to the outer world, honed her expertise and grew in confidence, taking part in for her district after which state, travelling the nation. “I learnt what actual hockey was in Simdega the place I performed until 2019. After I joined, I did not even know how you can play correctly. Regardless of that Pratima ma’am took me and educated me, educating me all the things – from the fundamentals to elite degree issues like positioning and so on.,” mentioned Magnificence.
It was the mixed efforts of Pratima, who Magnificence refers to as her second mom, and her dad and mom that she obtained chosen within the junior nationwide camp for the primary time in 2019. The 12 months obtained higher as inside a few months she was chosen within the Indian junior girls’s group for the Cantor Fitzgerald U-21 Worldwide 4 Nations Event in Eire.
“Until then, I did not even know that aeroplanes exist and that you simply journey overseas in an airplane. My happiness knew no boundaries once I travelled overseas on a airplane, obtained a equipment with my title on it and obtained to put on the India jersey,” says Magnificence.
Sheer resilience, onerous work and high notch on-field performances ensured Magnificence grew to become an integral a part of the junior India squad, additionally travelling to Belarus and Australia later that 12 months. Whereas Covid-19 halted all worldwide tournaments in 2020, Magnificence returned in sensational type on the tour of Chile in 2021, additionally scoring a hat-trick.
In April this 12 months, the striker helped India earn a fourth-place end on the Junior World Cup in South Africa earlier than being chosen because the vice-captain of the group for the Uniphar U-23 5 Nations Event in June. In Eire, Magnificence guided the group to the finals and was additionally chosen because the Participant of the event.
Noticing Magnificence’s performances on the junior degree, India chief coach Janneke Schopman included the Jharkhand native within the senior choice camp the place Magnificence impressed the group administration along with her goalscoring in addition to playmaking skills. Finally final week, Magnificence was chosen for the December 11-19 Nations Cup in Valencia the place she can be making her debut for India.
“I used to be curious to see how she is going to do on the worldwide degree. She has been coaching effectively, has good expertise and performs to her strengths. I actually get pleasure from seeing that. So, I felt like throwing her in on the deep finish which may be a great way to see if she will be able to carry out (on the senior degree). She ought to first get pleasure from it after which have the ability to contribute to the group,” mentioned Schopman.
After years of relentless battle, issues are slowly starting to get higher within the Dungdung family. Ambrose has returned to engaged on his area with each his yield and revenue bettering. The family revenue has elevated with one son getting employed with the Military whereas one other getting chosen within the junior India camp.
Getting chosen for India was not the one excessive level for Magnificence and her household. The 12 months obtained sweeter when the 19-year-old obtained employment with Indian Oil. “Me and my household couldn’t categorical our happiness once I obtained the job. Not simply me, my dad and mom had been additionally crying. Everybody was glad that I used to be taking part in for the nation in addition to supporting the household. I advised my mom, who additionally named me, that I’ll get her paralysis remedy accomplished with the cash I earn,” concluded Magnificence.