Indian women's hockey team defender Deep Grace Ekka announces international retirement

Indian women’s hockey team defender and penalty corner specialist Deep Grace Ekka announced her international retirement, ending an illustrious career during which she represented India in two Olympic Games.

Indian women's hockey team defender and penalty corner specialist Deep Grace Ekka on Saturday announced her international retirement, ending an illustrious career during which she represented India in two Olympic Games.

"It is with immense gratitude and humility that I officially announce my retirement from International Hockey today. The journey from 2011 to 2023 has been the highlight of my life, and I am deeply honoured to have represented India at the pinnacle of the sport," Ekka said in a social media post.

The 29-year-old was instrumental in India qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was a vital cog in the team's defence line at the Tokyo Games where India finished fourth.

Ekka was also a member of Indian team that won bronze in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. She also represented the Indian teams that won medals in 2014 and 2018 Asian Games.

She was also a member of the title-winning Indian teams in 2016 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and 2017 Asia Cup.

Ekka began her journey in international hockey as a 17-year-old in 2011 when she made her debut in the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina.

She then went on to play in the U18 Girls Asia Cup in Bangkok, Thailand and her strong performance led her to become a regular feature in the National Camp.