On Wednesday, as former skipper Manpreet Singh became the most-capped Indian hockey player at the FIH Pro League in Rotterdam, it wasn't just about the number — 413. It was a celebration of the perseverance, discipline and focus of the 33-year-old from Mithapur, Jalandhar.
Never one to chase milestones, Manpreet has always believed in putting in the extra yards in pursuit of excellence. There was considerable chatter around his future after he was 'rested' for the Indian leg of the FIH Pro League earlier this year. But Manpreet said the only way to stay focused was to “cut out the noise and ensure performance spoke louder than words”. Reflecting on a journey that began with his debut at the Champions Trophy in 2011, Manpreet told TOI, “Since childhood, my dream was to represent the country. Once that was ticked, my aim was not just to do my best for the country, but to better my best every time I stepped onto the field.”
While he has reached another milestone, the four-time Olympian is far from done. “Earlier, I thought I should bow out after the Asian Games this year. But given my current fitness levels and form, my long-term goal is the 2028 LA Olympics,” he revealed.
For Manpreet, the motivation to continue wearing Indian colours comes from his daughters, Jasmine and Avelyn. “Sometimes it breaks my heart to leave behind a young family, especially since my daughters cry a lot when I return to the camp. But a frozen memory keeps me going. My family watched us win the bronze medal in Paris. The sight of Jasmine kissing the medal and the joy on her face has stayed with me,” he said.
Before turning his attention to LA 2028, Manpreet believes securing qualification for the Asian Games is crucial.
