Overcoming adversity is not easy, but young Mumtaz Khan is determined to make her mark on the Indian women’s hockey team. The 20-year-old forward is among the players participating in the ongoing senior women’s national coaching camp, honing her skills at SAI, Bengaluru. Mumtaz has risen through the ranks thanks to her hard work and impressive performances on the field. However, her journey to success has been far from smooth sailing, facing numerous hurdles along the way. Despite being plagued by two ACL injuries in 2019 and 2022, Mumtaz has continued to persevere, proving that she is one of the brightest prospects in Indian women’s hockey today.
Recovering from a severe injury can be a daunting experience for any athlete. Mumtaz, an accomplished athlete, knows this first hand. She suffered a career-threatening ACL tear, and during her recovery, she was plagued with doubts and anxieties. She wondered if she would ever be able to play again or if it was the end of her career. Nevertheless, Mumtaz did not give up. She persevered and motivated herself to complete her rehab in just six to seven months, and with the help of her team members, coaches, and support staff, she was able to step back onto the field stronger than ever before. As Mumtaz’s story demonstrates, with hard work, determination, and a little bit of support, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.
Mumtaz Khan has been making waves in the field of hockey with her impressive performances and well-deserved recognitions. At the 2022 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in South Africa, Mumtaz emerged as India’s top goal scorer and third-highest scorer overall with her eight phenomenal goals. Such remarkable feat did not go unnoticed as she was also named in the senior squad for Hero FIH Hockey 5s Lausanne 2022 where she was able to score five goals. Her outstanding skills, dedication, and hard work have earned her several accolades like the FIH Women’s Rising Star of the Year in 2021 and the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2022. Despite her second ACL injury, Mumtaz is currently attending a coaching camp where she strives to catch up with the level of senior players she admires like Vandana Katariya and Rani as she aims to win an Olympic medal.
