Thirteen-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues, who is a part of the Mumbai U-19 women's cricket team, now gets her maiden call-up for junior hockey nationals in Mysore
Jemimah Rodrigues. Pic/Sundari Iyer
Jemimah Rodrigues was amongst the 40 girls who turned up for the Mumbai girl's U-19 team trials at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Churchgate yesterday.
Jemimah Rodrigues. Pic/Sundari Iyer
And to her delight, the 13-year-old Bandra girl found herself included in the 18-member squad that will travel to Mysore for the 4th Junior Women's Nationals which will be held from March 15 to 23.
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What's special about the Class VIII student of St Joseph's Convent (Bandra) is that she juggles between two sports — cricket and hockey — and also excels in studies. Last year, she was a part of the Mumbai U-19 women's cricket team.
Talking about her selection, she said: "All the other girls who came for the trials were older than me and more experienced. When my name was announced in the final 18, the first thing I did was call my mother. This will be my first junior nationals in hockey.
"In September, I was selected for the Mumbai U-19 cricket team and went to Baroda to play the West Zone tournament and now I am in the hockey team."
Jemimah plays as a forward in hockey and opens the innings in cricket. She started playing cricket as a seven-year-old and picked up hockey a year later.
About playing both sports, she said: "I like both sports and will continue to do so. For now, I just hope we do well at the hockey nationals."
Her mother Lavita said: "When she called to inform me that she was selected for the Mumbai team, we were surprised. We didn't expect her to be selected for the U-19 side. We are supportive of her sporting career. There is nothing to worry because she is also good in her studies."
Mumbai coach Lloyd Maumkel praised Jemimah. "She is very skillful. This being her first junior nationals, she will take time to open up and play her natural game against bigger girls from Jharkhand, Haryana and other states.
But it should be a great opportunity. She is one to look out for in the future," Lloyd said.
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