According to a news statement from Hockey India, Pooja Yadav, a 21-year-old from the outskirts of Varanasi, is the first woman from the Purvanchal area to ever make it to the Indian hockey squad.

Her achievements have won her a berth in the 26-member Indian Women’s Hockey team for the next trip to Australia, which will take place at the Perth Hockey Stadium from April 26 to May 4, 2025. She has been practising at the senior national camp in SAI, Bengaluru, for the last few weeks.

According to a press release from Hockey India, Pooja spoke on her selection: “It was an amazing feeling when I realised that I had been picked for the national team. I began getting calls from everyone back home. My parents and siblings were particularly thrilled because, while it had previously seemed unattainable, they are now happy that I had succeeded.

Being the first Purvanchal woman player to join the Indian squad makes me really proud. I want other girls from remote places to be inspired by my choices so they may achieve great things and not give up on their aspirations. We can see more female athletes coming out of Purvanchal if they put in the necessary training and effort; therefore, I urge their families to help them,” she said.

Since March 23, 2025, Pooja has been practising with the senior players after being first chosen from the 65-member core likely group. “Training with the senior players has been a wonderful experience so far,” she remarked, describing her experience at the training camp. Simply following along and witnessing their effort has really improved my game. Everyone is really approachable, and they are always teaching us how to become better.

Pooja also emphasised the influence Neha, her flatmate, has had on her so far. As a midfielder, I’ve always admired Sushila and Neha, so it’s a dream come true for me to work with them now. My flatmate at the camp, Neha Di, has been an excellent mentor to me both on and off the pitch. She has given me a lot of valuable information from her years of playing for India, assisted me with my nutrition, and revised my game methods.”

Pooja originates from modest origins and is from a remote community on the outskirts of Varanasi. Pooja was initially chosen for the Uttar Pradesh Hockey junior team in 2022, and she later made it to her state team’s senior squad. Despite not having participated for the Indian junior squad, she was selected for the senior national camp due to her impressive results in the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025.

“I played a lot of cricket when I was a kid, but my interest in hockey started when I played in my school next to my house,” Pooja added, referring to her early years. I began playing in 2015, first for the junior team of the state and then for the senior squad. I am happy that everything worked out and I was immediately selected for the senior squad, even though I missed selection for the Indian junior team many times.

“At the moment, I’m focused on performing well and taking advantage of every chance I receive on the Australia trip. For the next FIH Hockey Pro League games, I have to make sure I perform well and remain in the team,” Pooja said.