Dashing forward Mumtaz leaves stereotypes behind– enthralls fans with a stellar performance in hockey World Cup

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<strong>Salima Tete-led Indian team beat fancied Germany 2-1 in their pool match on Sunday to book their place in the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place in South Africa's Potchefstroom.</strong></p>
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While goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for her brilliant saves, Lalremsiami (2') and Mumtaz Khan (25') scored a goal each in 2-1 win which gives India the top position in Pool D with two wins and six points.<br />
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After Lalremsiami put India ahead, forward Mumtaz Khan made it 2-0 just before the half time, perfectly deflecting a strike from Reet at the far post.</p>
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Daughter of Hafeez Khan, a vegetable seller in Lucknow, it has been a memorable tournament for Mumtaz so far.</p>
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With her superlative performance, Mumtaz, who chose hockey by coincidence, has become a role model for many back home.<br />
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It was in 2011 that Mumtaz was spotted by local hockey coach Neelam Siddiqui during a sports event at her school in Agra.<br />
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"I didn't really know much about the sport back then because I was so young, but as I started watching and playing it, I started developing a real interest," Mumtaz, now a leading junior hockey player of the country, told Hockey India.<br />
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Initially, helping her parents financially was all that was on Mumtaz's mind.<br />
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"I come from a very humble background so one of the factors in me playing hockey was that I might be able to help my parents. I have been fortunate enough to have represented the Indian Junior Women's Team and have always aimed at giving my all on the pitch, and I am hoping that it can translate into a bright future for us off the field," she told the federation website.<br />
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As she led India to a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, Mumtaz's performance was also lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<br />
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"I know that whatever I have done so far is nothing as compared to what I want to achieve in my career, so I don't want to get too ahead of myself. I want to ensure I am taking small baby steps, and doing the right things always. I am happy to have the support of my parents and my coaches, and my dream is to repay their faith in whatever way possible," she says.<br />
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"It is no secret that I have had difficult moments personally, and sometimes it has been difficult for my parents also, but I am glad that they have always supported me no matter what, and I can't wait to make them happy," Mumtaz added.</p>
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