Having played over 200 international matches, Navjot Kaur has been an integral part of the Women's Hockey Team's success over the past few years. . However, the 27-year-old player missed out on her third appearance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games after testing positive for COVID-19.

"To be honest, it was disappointing to leave like that. It was very difficult and hard for me to accept. I haven't missed out on any major tournament ever before, so I was dealing with this situation for the first time in my career," Navjot told Hockey India.

“I tested positive when I was in Nottingham where we were training before checking into the Games village. I had no major symptoms and was hopeful of getting back to the team by the time we moved to the village. I was being tested every day and unfortunately, it kept showing positive readings,” she said.

Since her debut in 2012, Navjot who has represented the country at all the major tournaments and featured in some of the Team's big victories had to return home even before the team’s campaign began at the Birmingham.

However, She talked about the team’s support that kept her in the right spirit throughout this ordeal.

“Our Chief Coach Janneke Schopman, staff members and my teammates were in constant touch with me throughout. They were checking on me every day during the isolation phase."

"I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful team, they were really supportive and helped me during the tough time. Even mindfulness had helped me deal with the situation, to stay calm and be in the present moment.”

She watched the team's Bronze medal win at the Commonwealth Games from home, Navjot said, "I watched all the matches with my family. It was heartbreaking to see the team lose against Australia with a very narrow margin. But, the way the team bounced back to win the Bronze medal was really inspiring.
The World Cup campaign was also disappointing. We were playing quite well, it's just that the results weren't in our favour. But, really proud of the team for the way they fought back and ended the long Europe tour with a historic Bronze medal."

Having returned to the training camp at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, Navjot is raring to get back into the groove.

"We have got a good amount of time to prepare for the Nations Cup in December which will help us qualify for the next edition of the Pro League," she added.