Pritam Siwach is celebrated as a leading figure in Indian women’s hockey. Her international career is marked by numerous achievements.
After representing the country as a player, she played a crucial role as a coach in elevating the Indian women’s hockey team.
Born on October 2, 1974, in Jharsa village near Gurugram, Pritam developed a passion for hockey at a young age. She began playing at just 13 years old. Despite facing ridicule from her community for pursuing hockey, Pritam was determined to succeed in the sport.
While in the 10th grade, her family wanted her to marry, but Pritam requested two more years to focus on hockey. She made her mark in 1990 by participating in her first national competition, where she was named the tournament’s best player. In 1992, Pritam represented India in the Junior Asia Cup, marking her first international tournament, where she made a significant impact. Soon after, she joined the railways to refine her skills.
Pritam’s consistent performance earned her the captaincy of the Indian team. Under her leadership, the team reached the finals of the 1998 ,winning a silver medal. In 2002, she played a vital role in securing a historic gold medal for India at the Commonwealth Games.
After retiring as a player, Pritam transitioned to coaching, where she also found success. She served as the coach of the Indian hockey team during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and trained the team for the Asian Games and the World Cup in Argentina. In Sonipat, she established a hockey academy, nurturing several players who gained recognition on the global stage. For her contributions to the sport, she received the Arjuna Award in 1998 and became the first female hockey coach to be honored with the Dronacharya Award in 2021.