Manpreet Singh is yet another hockey player from the stables of Punjab in the Indian team who wants to make it big on the world stage. Some winning experience under his belt only augurs well for this youngster who has a potential to lead India in the future. He talks to Abhishek Purohit
Manpreet Singh is just three years old in international hockey but the 21-year old has caught the eye of everyone with his on-field brilliance, maturity, a steady head and mannerism both on and off the field.
He is on a high at the moment after leading the junior team to Sultan of Johor Cup triumph in Malaysia. The team coached by South African Gregg Clark tamed the hosts Malaysia in the final to give a warning to countries who are going to compete at the upcoming Junior World Cup to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the Capital from December 6th.
“Our performance at the Sultan of Johor Cup was brilliant. We played quite well against some of the top teams (England, Argentina, Pakistan and South Korea) to make it to final and then in the final we outsmarted a highly competitive Malaysia,” Manpreet told The Pioneer.
But, Manpreet who has seen a lot of highs and lows in his career is already looking ahead.
“We have done well in the past. But, World Cup is a big tournament. Anything can happen there. We are preparing well. We have the best of guys and a good combination. But there are a lot of areas where we need to improve. We were not good in penalty corners in our last tournament, we’re working on them. We are putting a lot of effort on our fitness as well. However, the WC is at home and we are confident about doing well in it. Talent-wise we have one of the best team. We are eying a medal here,” feels the centre-half.
Hailing from the Mithapur village in the Amritsar district, Manpreet followed in the footsteps of his brothers — Amandeep Singh and Sukhraj Singh — both of them played for Punjab. In 2005, he joined the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar and later got the chance in the junior Asia Cup in 2008 where he impressed one and all.
“My father is a farmer but I got good support from my family to pursue my dream. After 2008, I was injured but recovered well as I had my family’s support,” Manpreet, who has 72 India caps added.
It was during the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy that he debuted with the senior team and has been playing regularly with them since then.
Going by the leadership qualities and his persona, coach Clark had earlier said that Manpreet has the captaincy material that a future Indian captain should have. “In a game, the captain has some responsibilities. But, a captain too is part of a team and needs to play well. I have got good rapport with most of the players. So, it helps in coordination. Also, I am learning both as a player and a captain,” Manpreet, who works at Indian Overseas Bank, said.
The athlete reckons that he received a major boost and his game developed after a stint with Ranchi Rhinos, the Hockey India league champions earlier in the year.
“The best part of it was I shared the stage with my idol and German captain Moritz Furste (FIH Player of the Year). He asked me to just be confident. I learned a lot of things from the German captain. From him, I got a lot of ideas about how to pass the ball and how to control the game. He is just brilliant in setting the tempo. He taught me nuances on when to go for attack and when to defend, he is a class act. Other players of the team like Nick Wilson, Floris Evers also helped me. So, my game has enriched after the HIl. Also, I have learn from the India skipper Sardar Singh. He also leads the team really well,” Manpreet said.
India have had a change in coach with Roelant Oltmans taking over as interim coach from full-time one in Michael Nobbs. So, does he get confused while playing under various coachesIJ
“No, not really. Basically, there are no big changes in the playing style of the coaches. Counter-attack has been India’s style of play and the coaches don’t tinker too much with it,” Manpreet, who has a Malaysian girlfriend of Pakistan origin whom he met at 2012 edition of Johor Cup and plans to marry her after 2016 Olympics, pointed out.
For the moment though, Manpreet wants to focus only on his game as India have a lot of important tournaments (Asian Champions Trophy, Jr WC, World Cup, Champions Trophy and Olympics) coming up and wants to serve Indian hockey for as long as possible.