"a decision that feels both bittersweet and empowering."
Two-time Olympian Vandana Katariya announced her retirement from international hockey, ending a distinguished 15-year career.
She played her last match for India in the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 in February.
Katariya issued a lengthy statement on Instagram that read:
“Today, with a heavy yet grateful heart, I announce my retirement from international hockey, a decision that feels both bittersweet and empowering.
“I’m stepping away not because the fire in me has dimmed or the hockey in my tank has run dry, but because I want to bow out at the zenith of my career, while I’m still at my very best.
“This isn’t a goodbye born out of exhaustion; it’s a choice to leave the international stage on my terms, with my head held high and my stick still blazing.
“The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every goal, and the pride of wearing India’s colours will forever echo in my soul.
“To my fans, you incredible, passionate warriors of the Vandana Katariya Hockey Fan family, your unwavering love and cheers have been my strength through every triumph and trial.
“I can’t thank you enough for believing in me. To the Sports Authority of India, Hockey India, and MYAS, your invaluable support has been the backbone of my journey, lifting me up and pushing me forward when I needed it most.
“To my teammates, my sisters-in-arms, your camaraderie and trust have fuelled my spirit. To my coaches and mentors, your wisdom and faith in me have shaped my path.
“And to my late father, my rock, my guiding light, without you, this dream would have remained out of reach; your sacrifices and love have been my foundation.
“You’ve given me a platform to dream, to fight, and to win.
“But this isn’t the end of my story, it’s a new beginning.
“I’m not hanging up my stick; I’ll keep playing, keep scoring, and keep inspiring in the Hockey India League and beyond.
“The turf will still feel my footsteps, and my passion for this game will never fade.
“Today, I retire from international hockey, but I carry forward every memory, every lesson, and every ounce of love you’ve given me.
“Thank you for being my family, my fuel, and my forever teammates in spirit.”
The legendary forward retires as India’s most-capped women’s hockey player. She scored 158 goals in 320 international matches after making her debut in 2009.
She played a crucial role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020 and remains the only Indian woman to score a hat-trick at the Olympic Games.
Vandana Katariya also represented India at the Rio 2016 Olympics, two FIH Hockey Women’s World Cups in 2018 and 2022, and three consecutive Commonwealth Games from 2014 to 2022.
She competed in three successive Asian Games from 2014 to 2022.
The 32-year-old helped India secure gold at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 and 2023 and the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in 2022.
She also won silver at the 2018 Asian Games and two Women’s Asian Champions Trophy tournaments in 2013 and 2018.
Her achievements include bronze medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2014 and 2023 Asian Games, and a third-place finish at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22.
Vandana Katariya’s contributions to Indian hockey earned her the Arjuna Award in 2021 and the Padma Shri in 2022.
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