KUALA LUMPUR: Hardship and tragedy have made Thibatharshini James a strong hockey player.
The Pahang-born midfielder was playing in the Razak Cup in Bukit Jalil in October, 2022, when her father died in a motorcycle accident in Temerloh.
It was a devastating blow to her and her father had been supportive of her hockey aspiration.
Her mother, Puspavalli Kuppan, became the sole breadwinner for her three daughters.
Thibatharshini, 21, known as Thiba to her friends, said that losing her father was the worst thing to have happened to her.
"My mother supported all three of us (daughters) who are still studying, working as a cook in a restaurant in Temerloh.
"She wanted me to continue playing hockey after my father's death.
"And her dream of seeing me play for Malaysia came true when I was selected for the Junior Asia Cup (in Kakamigahara, Japan last year). I scored a goal to help Malaysia finish fifth among 10 teams."
Thibatharshini went on to feature in the Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier in Salalah, Oman, in August last year where Malaysia won a bronze.
Thibatharshini, who is doing a Physical Education degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia, was in the Malaysian team that left today for Bihar, India, for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) from Nov 11-20.
"I hope coach Nasihin (Nubli) will select me to be among the 18 players in Bihar.
"It will be great to play top Asian teams in the ACT like India, China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
"Playing in the ACT will also boost my confidence for the Asian Junior Cup (in Muscat, Oman from Dec 7-15)," said Thibatharshini, who helped Young Tigress win the Razak Cup title in Johor Baru last month.