Manpreet Singh (Field Hockey)

Some Lesser Known Facts About Manpreet Singh

• Manpreet Singh is an Indian field hockey player who became the captain of the Indian men’s national field hockey team on 18 May 2017. He rose to prominence in 2021 when India won a bronze medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics (Tokyo), the first Olympic medal in field hockey since 1980, under his captaincy.

• He was born in a Punjabi farming family in Mithapur village, situated on the outskirts of Jalandhar city of Punjab. The rich hockey legacy of the village has fostered Indian field hockey veterans like Swarup Singh, Kulwant Singh, and Padma Shri awardee Pargat Singh. Therefore, Manpreet was intrigued by hockey and was keen to learn the sport since childhood. He grew up playing hockey with his two elder brothers, skilful field hockey players who played for Punjab at the national championships. In an interview, while remembering a childhood incident, he said,
  

  One day, when I was 10 years old, as I was about to leave for coaching, my brother locked me in a room. However, I managed to get out and join him at the coaching ground. My brother got angry and was about to hit me, but the coach said I should be given a chance to learn the game since I was so keen.”

• Manpreet’s mother, Manjeet Kaur, pursued several odd jobs to support her family after his father suffered from mental health issues and had to quit his career.

• During his childhood days, Manpreet’s mother wasn’t supportive of him playing hockey. She was worried that Manpreet too might break his nose during a game just like his elder brother. His mother came on board when his first hockey win earned him a cash prize of Rs. 500. Thereafter, she decided to no longer keep him away from the game.

• In 2005, he began training at Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar, considered one of India’s best institutes for the sport.

• Manpreet was inspired by the former captain of the Indian hockey team Pargat Singh, who hails from Manpreet’s village, Mithapur. In an interview, he said,
  

  My first inspiration to play the game came from Pargat Singh, the former captain of the Indian hockey team, and DSP of my district…Besides that, I was attracted by the prizes my brothers received when they won matches.”

  Besides being Manpreet’s inspiration, Pargat Singh also played the role of a godfather in his life. During Manpreet’s initial years, Pargat Singh took care of Manpreet and his family’s financial needs. Pargat also helped Manpreet’s elder brother Amandeep emigrate to Germany.

• Although financial constraints forced his brothers to quit playing, Manpreet continued his journey as a professional field hockey player.

• Manpreet had his fair share of hardships before securing his place in the Indian men’s field hockey team. A knee injury in 2009 sidelined him for almost a year.

• In 2012, he represented India in the men’s field hockey tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics, held in London, UK.

• In 2013, he became captain of the Indian junior men’s field hockey team in the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup, held in New Delhi, India.

• Later, in the same year, he came into the limelight when he captained the junior men’s team in the third Sultan of Johor Cup, held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. India’s junior team displayed extravagant skills to defeat England, Argentina, Pakistan, and South Korea in this prestigious tournament. India defeated the host country’s team, Malaysia, in the final match by 3-0 and earned the gold medal.

• In 2014, he was a part of the BPCL Team, which won the Scindia Gold Cup Hockey Tournament after beating Central Railways by 3-1 in Gwalior.

  

• His performance paved the way for him into the senior Indian men’s hockey team. In 2014, he was a part of the Indian team that secured a Gold medal in the Asian Games, defeating arch-rival Pakistan in the final match by 4-2.

• In the same year, the Jalandhar-born player was a part of the silver medal-winning Indian team at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. India won the silver medal after losing to Australia in the final by 4-0.

• In 2015, his team ‘Ranchi Rays’ won the Hero Hockey India League.

  

• In 2016, after 38 years, India made it to the finals of the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy and won the silver medal after losing to Australia in the final by 3-1.

• On 6 April 2016, few hours before Japan vs India opening match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Manpreet received the news of his father’s sudden death. Consequently, Manpreet was sent back home mid-tournament. As soon as the death rituals were over, Manpreet’s mother encouraged him to return to the tournament. In an interview, while remembering the incident heavy-heartedly, he said,
  

  My mother told me that my father always wanted me to give my best on the field, so I should go back and play well. And my teammates and even members of rival teams helped and supported me in those sad days.”

  The Australian team paid a heartwarming tribute to Manpreet’s father by observing a minute’s silence and wearing a black armband. Although India won the Japan vs India opening match by 1-2, in Manpreet’s absence, the Indian team lost against the world champions Australia by 1-5. After returning to the tournament, Manpreet played Canada vs India match, which India won by 1–3, on 10 April 2016. He gained immense appreciation for scoring a goal within the first 4 minutes of Pakistan vs India match, which India won by 1-5. India secured itself second position after losing the finals against Australia by 4-0.

• On 18 May 2017, he marked the beginning of his captaincy in the Indian men’s field hockey team after which he went on to lead India to gold at the 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup.

• Later, in the same year, his captaincy led India to win bronze at the Men’s FIH Hockey World League Final (2016-17).

• Under his captaincy, India earned bronze at the 2018 Asian Games, silver at the 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, and gold at the 2018 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy.

  

• In 2018, the German sportswear company Adidas signed Manpreet Singh as its brand ambassador in India.

• For his achievements in field hockey, Punjab Government honoured him with a DSP Rank in the Punjab Police.

  

• In the same year, he got engaged to Illi Najwa Saddique, a Malaysian girl of Pakistani origin. The couple made acquaintance in 2013 when the Indian team won the Sultan of Johor Cup. Manpreet experienced love at first sight when Saddique approached the team for a picture.

• Born to a field hockey player mother, Saddique is passionate about the game. Furthermore, she also serves as Manpreet’s best critic. In an interview, while talking about Saddique, Manpreet said,
  

  And Illi is my best critic. She is totally honest with me. This doesn’t mean she puts me down. Instead, she motivates me.”

• Manpreet complies with his inspiration Cristiano Ronaldo’s belief that one should never forget their humble beginnings. In an interview, he said,
  

  I have always seen them help others. I have read a lot of books about Ronaldo and even watched movies related to him. Ronaldo says that even when you are successful, you should never forget your humble beginnings. I totally go by that philosophy.”

• He is a Playstation enthusiast and carries it wherever he goes. In an interview, he said,
  

  One thing that I take with me wherever I go is my PlayStation. I always carry it with me anywhere I go. Whether it is our training camps or international tours, I carry my PlayStation with me.”

• He was the flag bearer for India during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo. Under his captaincy, India won a bronze medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic medal in hockey since 1980.

  

• He is an ambassador of Scorrd, an online hockey platform that connects hockey players, coaches, fans, and clubs. He is also one of the Red Bull-sponsored athletes on the social media platform.