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Sporting Witness: Chak de India!

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20/08/2020 GMT

Chak de India!

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Chak de India!

How India's female hockey stars inspired a generation of sportswomen and a Bollywood film

How India's female hockey players inspired a generation of sportswomen as well as a Bollywood film

In August 2002, the Indian women’s field hockey team won an unlikely gold medal against the favourites, England, at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The players had struggled to be taken seriously in a country that prioritises men’s sport, but they fought their way past New Zealand and South Africa to reach a final that turned on a dramatic refereeing decision. The women’s story later inspired the hit Bollywood film, Chak De India (or Come On, India!), which is credited with improving attitudes to women’s sport in India. Tom Roseingrave talks to the Indian goal-keeper, Helen Mary Innocent. The programme is a Whistledown Production.

PHOTO: The Indian players celebrating with one of their coaches, Gurdial Bhangu (Getty Images)

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