Inspired by Savita Punia and guided by coach Harendra Singh, 22-year-old Samiksha Saxena eyes her place in India’s senior women’s hockey team.
Bengaluru – At just 22 years old, Samiksha Saxena from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is already dreaming of donning the Indian jersey permanently. As a young and determined goalkeeper, she’s currently part of the 40-member core probables group preparing for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2025. For her, it’s not just about attending a national camp — it’s about taking her passion for hockey to the international level.
After shining in the Senior Women’s National Championships while representing Assam earlier this year, Samiksha earned a call-up to the national camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru. Her performances in the Division B category caught the eyes of selectors, and she now finds herself training among India’s best.
“I have improved so much already”
Speaking about her experience at the camp so far, Samiksha shared, “It’s going very well. The environment is very supportive, and the coaches are excellent. I’ve already learned so much in a short time. This is something I had only imagined before — now I’m living it.”
She added, “Earlier, I used to watch senior players on TV and feel inspired. Now I get to train with them daily. It’s surreal. Currently, I’m focusing on improving my movement, reflexes, and decision-making in front of the goal. Being a goalkeeper comes with big responsibility, and I want to be the best version of myself.”
Inspired by Savita Punia
One of Samiksha’s biggest sources of inspiration has been senior India goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia. Now, she gets to train under her. “I’m very comfortable with Savita didi. If I ever have a question or doubt, I go to her without hesitation. She watches my performance closely and helps me correct my mistakes — every small detail matters,” said Samiksha.
Learning directly from Savita has boosted her confidence and technical skills. The mentorship has also helped her adapt to the high-pressure environment of international-level training.
Harendra Singh’s guidance adds to her growth
This is also Samiksha’s first time training under Harendra Singh, the current head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. “He is very interactive and makes learning easy,” she said. “He explains everything clearly in both English and Hindi, making sure everyone understands. His sessions are fun but also very serious when needed. I’m excited to keep improving under his guidance.”
From grassroots to the national camp
Samiksha comes from a modest background in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. She grew up in a close-knit family with her grandmother, parents, two sisters, and a younger brother. Her father is a social worker, and her mother worked at an Anganwadi center. While hockey was not part of the family tradition, Samiksha’s determination and talent soon made it the center of her world.
She started playing hockey during her school days as a field player, but things changed when she was selected for the SAI Centre in Bhopal at age 19. It was here that a coach spotted her potential as a goalkeeper.
“He noticed that I had good height and sharp reflexes. He suggested I try goalkeeping — and that changed everything for me,” she recalled.
From there, she represented the SAI team in the Junior Academy Nationals. Later, she played for ITM University, Gwalior, in the Khelo India University Games 2023–24, while completing her degree in Physical Education.
Turning point in her journey
Samiksha played in two Senior Women’s National Championships — in 2024 for Bihar and in 2025 for Assam. Her performance in the 2025 tournament was a turning point.
“I was training in Bhopal when I got the news that I had been selected for the national camp. I immediately called my mother, and she started crying,” she said, smiling. “Initially, my parents were worried about me focusing too much on sports, but now they’re my biggest supporters. They’re very proud.”
For a girl who started from the dusty grounds of Saharanpur, reaching the national camp feels like a dream — but for Samiksha, it’s just the beginning.
Eyes on the Indian jersey
Samiksha knows the road ahead won’t be easy, but she’s ready to put in the work. Her long-term goal is to become a permanent member of the senior women’s team and bring glory to the country.
“This journey has been full of challenges, but I’ve come a long way. Now, my dream is to represent India internationally, win medals, and make my country proud. That’s what I’m working towards every day,” she concluded.
As she trains with India’s best under the mentorship of legends and top coaches, Samiksha Saxena is not just dreaming anymore — she’s preparing to make those dreams a reality.