April 18, New Delhi [India]: After receiving an emotional letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, former Indian hockey player Vandana Katariya, who recently announced the end of her international career, thanked him for her incredible stint with Team India.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s letter of gratitude for my hockey career and retirement is a happy occasion for me, Vandana stated in a post on X. I am really honoured to have been given this distinction. For me, this love and support will always be motivational. Thank you, Prime Minister.

In his letter, Prime Minister Modi praised Vandana for bringing Indian women’s hockey to the attention of the world and congratulated her on a career full of achievements.

“Best wishes for the next chapter of your life and congratulations on a fantastic career full of accomplishments as a standout player for the Indian women’s hockey team. Through your play, you have given your compatriots several moments of pride and helped to maintain the national flag flying high in a variety of events,” he wrote.

“Your journey from a simple background to creating a special identity in the hockey world through your hard work, dedication, and commitment is remarkable,” he said, highlighting her inspirational career. Your unique skills are shown by the fact that you are now the player with the most games played in Indian women’s hockey history. You have been instrumental in elevating hockey to new heights as captain, and your leadership abilities and sense of teamwork have been admirable.”

Modi highlighted Vandana’s career accomplishments, which included her historic maiden hat-trick against South Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for any Indian woman.

“Your passion and adaptability in the game to the needs of the squad have been valued while you have represented the nation in a variety of events. “Your career is full of many such successes, whether it’s winning a gold medal in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, a historic bronze medal for India in the Junior Women’s World Cup, or gold in the FIH Women’s Nations Cup,” he wrote. “Your game has included many moments that will live on in the memories of sports fans forever. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, you scored a vital hat-trick against South Africa, a moment that will live on in the memories of millions of hockey fans.

“As a player, it is very difficult to meet the expectations of the millions of sports fans and to always improve. “You will undoubtedly feel that you have done the work of making your family, friends, and fans proud when you look back on your career after retiring from international hockey,” he said.

“As one of the best forward players of India, the high standards set by you are an inspiration for young players,” the Prime Minister said in closing his letter, expressing confidence in Vandana’s future achievements. Even when you retire, I have no doubt that you will continue to be involved with Indian hockey and help it grow, passing on your wealth of knowledge and effective leadership to future generations. With warmest regards for a prosperous future.

Vandana departs as the most-capped player in Indian women’s hockey history with 320 international appearances and 158 goals. Beyond the stats, however, she leaves behind a story of perseverance, quiet resolve, and an unwavering desire to advance Indian women’s hockey to new heights.

The 32-year-old attacker, who debuted for the senior squad in 2009, participated in her last international game in February during the FIH Pro League 2024–25 Bhubaneswar leg. She expressed the emotional impact of her retirement announcement.

“I know it’s the proper moment, but this choice wasn’t simple. I’ve played hockey for as long as I can remember, and the greatest honour was donning the Indian shirt. However, every adventure has its end, and I go with a great deal of thanks, pride, and passion for the game. In a statement issued by Hockey India, Vandana said, “Indian hockey is in excellent hands, and I will always be its biggest supporter.”

She expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone who helped her along the way. “I would want to express my gratitude to all of the supporters who have helped me throughout the years, including my family, coaches, teammates, support staff, and Hockey India. To me, every remark, message, and encouraging word meant the world.

Vandana’s tale started on dusty plains with a goal bigger than her circumstances when she was born in Roshnabad, Haridwar. Throughout the years, she represented India at the biggest stages of the sport, including two Olympic Games (in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), two FIH Hockey Women’s World Cups (in 2018 and 2022), three Commonwealth Games (in 2014 and 2022), and three Asian Games (in 2014 and 2022).

India’s ascent in international hockey was greatly aided by her efforts. In addition to winning bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, and the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22, she was instrumental in winning gold at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (2016, 2023) and the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup (2022), silver at the Asian Games 2018, and the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Japan 2013 and Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Donghae 2018.

In addition, Vandana played a significant role in India’s bronze medal-winning team in the 2013 Junior World Cup, where he finished as the team’s leading scorer and the third-highest goal scorer overall.

In addition to playing for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the first Women’s Hockey India League in 2025, Vandana has represented India in several international competitions during her career.

Among her numerous accomplishments, Vandana’s valour in the Tokyo Olympics will always be cherished. India had their best-ever performance at the Games, reaching the quarterfinals and finishing fourth thanks to her hat-trick in a crucial 4-3 win against South Africa.

“I still get goosebumps thinking about Tokyo,” Vandana added, referring to that pivotal occasion. That game versus South Africa was one of the most emotional games of my life, and the Olympics are unique. All I wanted to do was give my all for my team and my nation. In addition to being unique, the hat-trick served as evidence that we were worthy of being on that platform.

Vandana received some of India’s most prestigious honours for her enormous efforts, such as the Padma Shri (2022) and the Arjuna Award (2021). Her reputation as one of India’s best forwards was further cemented in 2014 when she received the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women), the Hockey India Presidents Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2021, the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2021 and 2022, and numerous other honours.