Madhuri Kindo: A Rising Hockey Star Living Her Brother’s Dream

Madhuri Kindo, a 23-year-old goalkeeper from Odisha, is making waves in Indian women’s hockey as she strives to fulfill her elder brother Manoj’s unfulfilled dream of representing India on the international stage. Selected for the Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp at SAI Bengaluru, Madhuri’s journey is a testament to resilience, familial support, and determination.

Encouraged by her brother Manoj, an ex-national level hockey player and current member of the Army Hockey Team, Madhuri first started playing hockey at the tender age of eight in her village of Kadobahal, Rourkela. Not having much money—her father is a farmer and her mother a homemaker—her parents were always there to support her dreams, encouraging her to pursue hockey seriously.

Madhuri shifted from a defender to a goalkeeper in training at the Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela, where her coach noted her height and agility. Her ascension in Indian hockey was characterized by clutch performances, such as winning gold at the 2023 Junior Asia Cup and making clutch saves at the Junior World Cup.

With Olympic ambitions and motivated by Indian team goalkeeper Savita, Madhuri dreams of playing her first senior team match and giving pride to her family and village through her performance.

Sources: MyKhel, The Hans India