As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics begins, Manpreet Singh, the former captain of India’s hockey team, is preparing for what could be his final shot at Olympic glory. Since leading the Indian team to a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—a medal that ended a 41-year drought—Manpreet has been fueled by a singular vision: to turn that bronze into gold.
“Ardaas karo — pray for us!” is the heartfelt request Manpreet makes to his mother, Manjit Kaur, each time he calls. His faith in God and inspiration from his family, especially his young daughter Jasmine, have been pivotal as he gears up for his fourth and likely final Olympic appearance.
Manpreet, now 29, reflects on the journey since Tokyo with a mixture of pride and nostalgia. The Tokyo squad had 11 players from Punjab, but the team for Paris has a slightly different composition, with eight players hailing from the state. This includes four from Amritsar—skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, and Shamsher Singh—and four from Jalandhar—Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and vice-captain Hardik Singh.
Despite stepping down as captain after the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where India won silver, Manpreet remains a key figure in the squad. His leadership may no longer be official, but his role as a senior player and mentor is crucial. “Even if I am not the captain now, it does not make any difference,” Manpreet told The Tribune. “Every player has his role in hockey. The effort is to take everyone along. Being seniors, we have to inspire the youngsters.”
The past three years have been a rollercoaster for Manpreet. After relinquishing his captaincy, he faced a challenging period when former coach Sjoerd Marijne accused him of influencing a player to underperform—a blow that deeply affected him. “I was broken and lost faith in everyone,” Manpreet admitted. However, his family’s unwavering support, especially from his mother and his beloved daughter Jasmine, helped him find his footing again.
Manpreet’s mother, Manjit, recalls the hardships she endured to support her family, including the physical toil of stitching clothes to make ends meet after her husband’s untimely death. Her sacrifices and the memory of their struggle have been a source of strength for Manpreet. “To ensure he was in good physical condition, I made sure he had desi eggs, ghar ka doodh, and kharode da soup,” she said.
Pargat Singh, a legendary hockey player and Manpreet’s idol, emphasizes that it is Manpreet’s humble beginnings and perseverance that have shaped his success. “It’s his humble background that keeps him grounded. He has come a long way just because of his perseverance,” Pargat said, expressing confidence in Manpreet’s ability to secure another medal in Paris.
Looking back on his Olympic journey—from his debut at London 2012 to his significant role in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020—Manpreet is both reflective and hopeful. Coach Avtar Singh, who first identified Manpreet’s potential in 2008, recalls a conversation they had before Paris. “We are prepared. We just want a gold medal,” Manpreet told him.
Little Jasmine, though too young to fully grasp her father’s achievements, adores accompanying him to tournaments and eagerly watches his matches on TV. Manjit Kaur fondly remembers Jasmine’s excitement, saying, “She keeps saying she will go to Paris and be with her father.” While Manjit wishes her son could continue playing through the 2028 Olympics, she relies on divine support, planning to visit the gurdwara on the day of the team’s first match.
As the Indian hockey team prepares for Paris 2024, the focus remains on transforming past glories into new triumphs. For Manpreet Singh, this Olympics is not just a quest for gold but also a testament to his enduring spirit and the support of his family.
