Ramandeep Singh is yet another hockey player from Punjab who wants to make it big. Since making his debut in Asia Cup earlier this year, he has been impressive and caught eyeballs when he recently became HIl’s costliest player. The 20-year old striker, who is getting ready for the upcoming Junior World Cup, talks to Abhishek Purohit about his journey and ambitions
What was your first reaction when you came to know that you have been picked by Uttar Pradesh Wizards during the Hockey India league auction for $81,000IJ
I was shocked to know about it. I was not thinking about it as you know we have set our eyes firmly on the Junior World Cup. I was just taking rest after a practice session when our coach (Baljit Singh Sahni) called me up and broke the news. Initially, I was shocked but later on I felt happy and called my relatives. I was positive about getting picked by a franchise as I had performed well in the recent tournaments. I was thinking of getting around Rs 20,00,000. But, I had not thought of getting around Rs 50,00,000.
You joined World Series Hockey (WSH) before coming back to Hockey India fold. Though you were part of the auction for the inauguarl season of the Hockey India league (HIl), you weren’t picked by any franchise. How did you feelIJ
It’s every player’s dream to play at biggest of stages and I am no different. last year we saw how brilliantly the inaugural tournament was played. So, I felt slightly bad because I couldn’t share the dressing room or train with such great overseas players. Apart from that I was happy for Indian hockey and happy for my friends and other Indian players who got good money. Every player deserves good money. Then, I realised that I need to work hard and wait for the right time to come.
Tell us about your background and how you fell in love with hockeyIJ
I hail from a village called Mike in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Every member of my family like hockey. My father is a farmer and my mother is a house-wife. I was 11-year-old when I joined the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy in Amritsar. My parents have always supported me. From there, I was selected for different age-group teams and then the Asia Cup. Right now, my brothers are in the junior team camp.
Since your debut in Asia Cup, you have been performing well. Are you ready for the upcoming Junior World CupIJ
Yes, I played well at the Asia Cup and the team performed really well. Everyone supported me. Regarding the World Cup, I am looking forward to it. I am focusing on doing well for the country. We have been preparing well for the tournament. We have worked hard on the defence structure and counter attack. We have a couple of practice games before the main tournament and that will help us correct our flaws. Personally, I am working on instructions given to me by our coaches. It is a home World Cup. So, we are excited to play.
Penalty corner conversion was a problem in Sultan of Johor Cup. Has the team rectified the mistakesIJ
Yes, we are working on it. Gurjinder Singh is back in the team and hopefully he scores many of them.
You made your international debut under Roelant Oltmans and now, in the U-21 team, your coach is Gregg Clark. How do you adjust while playing under two different coachesIJ
There is not much difference in their styles. Both are quite good and hard-working coaches. It’s about slight adjustments that we have to make on the strategy front. We see the videos and the coaches make us understand the game style. Also, our seniors help us during training.