For over a decade and a half, Savita Punia has stood as India’s last line of defence, producing match-winning saves and inspiring a new generation of hockey players. Now, the veteran goalkeeper has received one of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri, a recognition that she says belongs as much to her family as it does to her remarkable career.
The 35-year-old became only the sixth woman hockey player to receive the prestigious award, joining an elite group of Indian legends whose contributions have shaped the sport. The honour comes after an illustrious career that has seen her become one of India’s most decorated goalkeepers, surpassing 300 international appearances and playing a defining role in the national team’s resurgence on the global stage.
Reflecting on her journey, Savita admitted that such recognition was beyond anything she had imagined when she first picked up a hockey stick over two decades ago. “When I started playing, I never thought I would have such a long journey in hockey. This honour is more for my family, it’s a reward for everything they have done.
“Since we are in training for long periods, my father is the contact person for everything and when he called me at the camp and said, ‘my daughter, Padma Shri Savita Punia’ I could feel the emotion. I cannot explain that feeling, to hear it from him was something special, the happiness I see in their eyes,” Savita stated.
Her emotional recollection underlined the countless sacrifices made by her family throughout her career. “There were so many times when things were tough, there was a lot of struggle but he never let me give up. He was the rock behind my growth, my success. He made sure I lacked nothing despite financial stress. My grandfather learnt to read in old age because he wanted to find my name in the newspaper himself. When your family does so much, motivation is the one thing you don’t have to worry about,” the 35-year-old laughed.
Savita also recalled one of the lowest points in her career, a moment in 2011 when she seriously considered walking away from the sport. “Transport was always a problem. That day, I was standing at the bus stop in Delhi to go home. I was not allowed to get on, everyone made fun of me and my kit and I didn’t know what to do. I called up my father and cried, saying I did not want to play any more.
“Indian society, specially in villages, is not very supportive of women in sports. Anyone else would have understood and moved on. Not my father. He declared travel would not be a reason for me to quit and bought a second-hand car. I have worked hard on the field but it’s their sacrifices that helped me give my best for the team and today it all feels worth it,” an emotional Savita said.
Savita has become synonymous with Indian women’s hockey over the years. Widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, she was instrumental in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, a campaign that transformed perceptions of women’s hockey in the country. She has also been recognised internationally with multiple Goalkeeper of the Year honours, cementing her reputation as one of the sport’s modern greats.
As the senior-most member of the current Indian squad, Savita believes her responsibilities now extend beyond stopping goals. “There is a lot of responsibility and a lot of pressure. At this age, I have to focus on my performance and also on how to keep the team’s atmosphere good and make the youngsters play freely. But this generation is a lot more aware, responsible and mature.
“They are also more confident. During the Nations Cup recently, everyone was determined to win as much for the tournament itself as for me. It was heartening to see them say they had to win to make sure I received my Padma Shri with a happy mind.
“Everything has changed, for the better. When I made my debut in 2008, they gave me my official T-Shirt and it had ‘Sarita’ written on it. I was asked to simply correct it with tape. Playing for the country is every sportsperson’s dream and to get your debut jersey with the wrong name simply kills something inside you. Now it is properly planned, milestones celebrated, you feel valued. Selections, diet, recovery, supplements, it is all very professional now.”
Savita believes the evolution of Indian women’s hockey infrastructure reflects how far the sport has progressed, with players today receiving significantly better support systems than previous generations. Looking ahead, however, the veteran goalkeeper insists that the team’s focus remains firmly on future success. India has resumed preparations for major international assignments, including the Women’s Hockey World Cup and the Asian Games, with the latter offering direct qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“The team is back to training for the World Cup and the Asian Games and Savita insisted that the morale was high. “After the Nations Cup everyone is confident, the body language has changed. The USA and New Zealand were doing very well but we are aware of ourselves. We did well at the 2018 World Cup also but did not get the results we wanted. And winning the Asian Games means we will not only qualify for LA28 but also have almost two years to prepare. So we are aiming for that,” she signed off.
For Savita, the Padma Shri is not the culmination of her journey but another milestone in a career defined by resilience, sacrifice and excellence. While the honour recognises everything she has achieved for Indian hockey, her eyes remain fixed on one final ambition: helping India reach even greater heights on the world stage.
(Quotes sourced from Sportstar)
