HIL Season 2: Ranchi Royals’ Beauty Dung Dung, Sangita Kumari Excited to Play Alongside Argentine Stars

New Delhi: Indian women’s hockey team players Beauty Dung Dung and Sangita Kumari are thrilled at the prospect of sharing the field with Argentine internationals Agustina Albertario and Agostina Alonso, who will feature for Ranchi Royals in the second season of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), beginning on December 28.

Argentina, one of the strongest teams in world hockey, won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2022 and followed it up with a bronze at the Paris Olympics in 2024. The two Jharkhand players are eager to learn from the experience and quality the Argentine duo will bring to the Ranchi Royals camp.

Expressing her excitement, Sangita Kumari said the Argentine players bring immense international experience to the team. “Agustina Albertario and Agostina Alonso are outstanding players. I’m really looking forward to sharing the dressing room with them and playing alongside them. They’ve played many more matches than us, and that experience is something we can learn from. The more we interact with them, the better it will be for us,” she said.

Beauty Dung Dung echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the value of learning from senior international players. “They are older and far more experienced, which is a big advantage for us. We can learn a lot from how they approach the game,” she said, as quoted by Hockey India in a release on Friday.

Both players are also excited about playing at home in Ranchi and see the HIL as a key platform to prepare for upcoming international assignments, including the Olympic Qualifiers scheduled to be held in Hyderabad.

As the Ranchi Royals prepare for their home campaign in the Women’s HIL, the two young stars from Jharkhand are especially delighted to represent their home franchise in front of local supporters.

Sangita and Beauty made their senior India debut in 2021 and have since established themselves at the international level. Sangita has scored 30 goals for India, while Beauty has contributed six. Now, they are set to begin a new chapter with Ranchi Royals in the HIL.

“It’s a proud feeling to play at my home ground. Playing in Ranchi is always special, and it feels even more special now that I’m representing Ranchi Royals. The crowd here loves hockey, and my family will also be there to watch me play, which makes it extra special,” Sangita said.

Sangita, who was part of India’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, said she is eagerly looking forward to the start of the league.

Beauty Dung Dung also shared her enthusiasm, saying, “Whenever we play in Ranchi, the stadium is packed because there are so many hockey fans here. It’s our home ground, and we will do everything possible to win.”

The midfielder further underlined the importance of the HIL in nurturing young talent by providing them an opportunity to play alongside world-class international players. She said the league allows junior players to gain confidence and learn directly from the best, helping raise standards at the grassroots level.

“Women’s hockey is growing rapidly, and the HIL is a great platform to take it further. It’s not just helpful for senior players, but also for juniors and state-level players, who can learn by watching and playing alongside top international stars,” Beauty added.

Both players also spoke about how interacting with foreign players has helped them improve their game. Sangita noted that there is a healthy exchange of ideas, with Indian players learning new skills while also sharing their own experiences.

Ranchi Royals also feature promising youngsters like Sakshi Rana and Kanika Siwach, who recently represented India at the Junior Women’s World Cup in Chile. Offering advice to the younger players, Sangita emphasised the importance of enjoying the game and trusting their abilities.

“The most important thing for young players is to enjoy the game. They should back their technique and skills and give their best every time they step on the field,” she said.

The Women’s Hockey India League will begin on December 28, with hosts Ranchi Royals taking on SG Pipers in the opening match.

All HIL matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, and will also be live-streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.

—With inputs from IANS