Manpreet Singh Eyes a Fitting Finale at His Fourth Olympics
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. Determined to give his all one last time on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the 32-year-old midfielder is focused solely on the upcoming tournament.
Manpreet made his debut for India in 2011 at the age of just 19 and has since achieved remarkable success. He captained the team that ended India’s 41-year Olympic medal drought in Tokyo by winning a historic bronze. He has also been a part of India’s Asian Games gold medal-winning squads 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,” said Manpreet.
Overcoming Controversy: The Darkest Phase of His Career
Manpreet’s journey from Mithapur village in Jalandhar to the Paris Olympics hasn’t been without obstacles. Following the Tokyo Games, he endured the toughest period of his career after former coach Sjoerd Marijne accused him of misconduct.
Marijne alleged that Manpreet had asked a teammate to underperform so his friends could secure spots for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The allegation was strongly refuted by both the men’s and women’s teams, who believed Marijne made the claim 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,” Manpreet shared.
The Importance of Support During Tough Times
Manpreet emphasized the role of family and teammates in helping him through difficult moments.
“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 added.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Although he no longer holds the captaincy, Manpreet remains a senior leader in the squad and continues to play a key role in team cohesion and mentorship.
“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.