Kolkata: For Salima Tete, India’s historic Asian Games gold medal was more than just leading the team to end a 44-year wait for the continental title. It was the fulfilment of a dream that began in a small village in Jharkhand and culminated in the honour of leading the country to one of the biggest achievements in Indian women’s hockey.“Coming from a humble background and being given the responsibility to lead India on such a big stage means everything to me,” the India captain told TOI in an exclusive interview while reflecting on the triumph that also secured direct qualification for Los Angeles Olympics.For the 24-year-old from Simdega district, the gold medal was the reward for years of sacrifice, perseverance and belief. Having taken over the captaincy just two years back, Salima described the achievement as the proudest moment of her career.“We went into the tournament with a clear mindset that we had to play our own game and create history. Whatever happened, we were determined not to lose. We took control of our destiny,” she said.India’s women defended resolutely after taking the lead against China in the final, producing a gritty performance that reflected the character of the side.The gold medal also fulfilled one of the team’s biggest objectives: securing a direct Olympic berth. According to Salima, the heartbreak of missing out on a World Cup semifinal spot earlier in the year became the driving force behind the team’s Asian Games campaign.“We learned a lot from the World Cup. We looked at our mistakes, worked on them, and told ourselves we would not repeat them. That disappointment became our motivation,” said the captain.A key factor behind India’s success, she explained, was the team’s ability to break matches into manageable phases. “We treated every match like a final. Once one 15-minute phase ended, we focused on the next. We kept telling ourselves that if we played good hockey and executed our plans well, the goals would come,” she said.“Our focus was always on starting strong and finishing strong. A good performance in one match gave us confidence for the next one. We concentrated on our hockey rather than worrying about the results.”The change in mentality has coincided with the return of Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne, who took charge of the team again earlier in the year. Salima credited the coach’s direct communication style for helping create a positive environment within the squad.“He always listens and is willing to discuss ideas. If I have a particular strength, such as speed, he tells me exactly how to use it more effectively,” she said.Salima also reserved special praise for the younger members of the squad, saying that the seniors encouraged them to play without fear while taking responsibility for handling pressure situations.With Olympic qualification already secured, the captain believes the next phase of India’s journey will be about refining the team’s weaknesses and building towards Los Angeles.“Qualifying early is a huge advantage because it gives us time to improve. We will carefully identify our weaknesses and work on them over the next two years. The key is to stay connected as a team, communicate regularly and continually look for ways to get better,” she said.Reflecting on her own journey, Salima credited her family for helping her pursue hockey despite financial hardships.“There were times when there wasn’t enough money, but my family always found a way. They never let me give up. Whatever I have achieved today is because of their support,” she said.Now an Asian Games gold medallist and the captain of an Olympic-bound Indian team, Salima has cemented her place in Indian hockey history.Yet amid all the celebrations, her immediate priority remains simple: going home to Simdega, spending time with her family and savouring a moment that took 44 years to arrive.