Tamil Lions team player Ritika Dalal spoke exclusively to Asianet News on the sidelines of the GI-PKL 2025 event at Gurugram University. Ritika highlighted how league matches provide invaluable opportunities for players to gain experience and showcase their skills. She said that in kabaddi, having the right mindset is everything-even injuries can’t hold you back if your mental game is strong. Watch.
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00:00So, another team member of Tamil Lions, Ritika Dalal, is from Delhi NCR.
00:19Ritika is being held with GIPKL.
00:22This is the first time that the men's and women's team will play it on the mat.
00:27So, what do you think it's so different and what a progressive step towards women's team?
00:34At first, I feel very happy that we have a chance to play and have a selection.
00:40First of all, we will come to TV.
00:42We will also see the girls who come to TV.
00:44I feel very happy that our kids, especially the girls who come to TV,
00:48they have a chance to get a chance to play TV.
00:51They have a lot of achievements for them.
00:56But for girls, there are no such things.
00:59Because they have only tournaments or small small nationals.
01:03We are only here to play.
01:05The nationals are only for five years.
01:08At that time, they get out of age.
01:10And then, they give up to their families.
01:12So, we don't get so much to play.
01:14And because of the league, we feel very proud.
01:18So, do you want to play in the league in the pro league?
01:21Girls, who are they?
01:23Yes, we want to play.
01:25Because the girls are so much working.
01:27There are injuries and operations.
01:30And then, we don't get any achievements.
01:33So, we have a lot of pain.
01:35So, we should give the boys a chance to play for the girls.
01:40So, let me tell you a little bit.
01:41On a lighter note, you can tell me that in Kabaddi,
01:44there are many things in preparation.
01:46You have to be strong mentally.
01:48There are many injuries.
01:52So, you have to be able to recover from them.
01:54So, how do you manage these things in a team?
01:58Theрист galvanic, they have to be able to lose…
01:59The manager, they need to have a mental statement.
02:01The manager, a man who lives there.
02:03When there is a mental statement,
02:04that we need to reach to this level.
02:05First of all, the person take the credit card for the separated,
02:07they will stay the same way.
02:08The brother's father has.
02:09He has his daughter's father.
02:10So, it's just he has the same mindset.
02:13So, we don't see a littleness.
02:14Now, let's keep a little rapid fire round,
02:16Hey guys, I will ask you a few questions.
02:19And I will ask you for some questions.
02:20And then, I will ask please do some changes.
02:23Now, I will ask you for some questions.
02:24We will ask you for a little question.
02:27I will ask you, and you have to answer quickly.
02:31So first, tell me, attack or defense?
02:35What do you like?
02:36I like attack.
02:38I like to raid you.
02:40Who is your toughest opponent in Kabaddi's journey?
02:45Toughest opponent?
02:48No, no.
02:50Okay, so basically Ritika,
02:53who is the toughest opponent and who is not.
02:56Very good.
02:57Okay, tell me,
02:58first of all,
03:00you have to do all the preparation of fitness
03:02and you have to concentrate on food,
03:04what do you eat, what do you not eat?
03:06Which is your favorite cheat meal?
03:08Cheat meal is like you have to go outside,
03:12you have to go outside,
03:13you have to eat,
03:14you have to eat,
03:16but you cannot eat,
03:17you have to keep the coach's pressure,
03:19you have to work for practice,
03:20and you have to work for that.
03:22And the first time in Delhi,
03:23they are tasty.
03:26So, if you eat them,
03:27it does not work.
03:28Okay, tell me,
03:29if Kabaddi's not in your life,
03:31then which sport do you think
03:34Ritika Dalal is in this sport?
03:36Badminton.
03:37Badminton.
03:38Very interesting.
03:39And the final question is,
03:41is there any Kabaddi's moment
03:44until now that you thought
03:46was the best moment?
03:48When I played the first national, I was in Tamil Nadu to play the first national in 2015.
03:54It was the biggest thing for me because I didn't feel like I was going to have a selection.
03:59But in the end moment, like our coach and Manoj Narwal, Manoj Narwal,
04:05so the selection was the best moment for me.
04:10It was the best moment for the nationals.
04:13It was a very interesting conversation, Ratika. Thank you so much and we wish you all the best.
04:18It's your match tomorrow, so now you leave for preparation.
04:21And thank you once again for speaking with Eshya Narwal.