She was a part of the team that won bronze at the 2013 Junior World Cup, in Germany.

[1] Ponnamma was born on 25 October 1992 in Kodagu district, in the Indian State of Karnataka, into Mallamada family of the Kodava community.

Born to a family of hockey players, her father Narendra, played hockey during his time in the Indian armed forces; her mother, during her college days; and her older sister, who gave up the game after sustaining an injury.

[2] Influenced towards the game by her father, Ponnamma was selected by and began training with Madikeri branch of Sports Authority of India, in 2005.

She was eventually chosen to represent India in its junior and senior teams, in 2011.