Manpreet Singh has no plans to retire anytime soon, but the former Indian men’s hockey team captain is well aware that the 2024 Paris Games will be his fourth and final Olympics, and he wants to give his all one last time at the world’s largest sports event. Manpreet, who made his debut for India in 2011 at the age of just 19, captained the Indian team that snapped a 41-year Olympic medal drought in Tokyo by winning bronze. He has also been a member of the Asian Games gold medal-winning teams in 2014 and 2022.

I never thought that I would be able to play four Olympics. It is every player’s dream to play in the Olympics and win medals. I consider myself very lucky that this is my fourth Olympics. I am going to Paris thinking as if it is my last Olympics and I have to give my best. I haven’t thought about quitting the game yet and my complete focus is on the Paris Games, the experienced midfielder, the 32-year-old veteran player said.

However, Manpreet’s journey from Mithapur village in Jalandhar to Paris has not been without its challenges. Following the Tokyo Olympics, Manpreet had the darkest period of his career when former coach Sjoerd Marijne made severe claims against him. Marijne accused Manpreet of asking a player to underperform so that his buddies might make the team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, an allegation that both the men’s and women’s teams disputed, claiming that the Dutchman did so to promote his book.

That was the most difficult phase for me. I could never even think of such things. I was broken and lost faith in everyone. I told (PR) Sreejesh with whom I share everything. My mother also encouraged me to keep playing to fulfill my father’s dream and my whole team supported me, the experienced midfielder expressed.

In bad times, the support of the family and team is very important because at that time the player finds himself very lonely. When the team stands together, it gives a lot of encouragement and also helps in making a comeback. We have also seen Hardik Pandya making a great comeback recently, he further added.

Even if I am not the captain now, it does not make any difference. Every player has his role in hockey. The effort is to take everyone along. Being a senior, we have to inspire the youngsters, he concluded.