There will always be some regret of not reaching the final at Paris, says Manpreet Singh

Manpreet Singh reflects on his career, family support, and dedication to maintaining fitness standards post-Olympic success.

While most of the spotlight after the Indian hockey team’s second consecutive Olympic medal has been on PR Sreejesh, the other 4-time Olympian in the squad is in no mood to sign off just yet. Manpreet Singh, at 32, has never felt better and the Paris bronze has only made him more determined.

“It feels great to win back-to-back medals but the way we played all through in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way. We were very close to the final and we will always think all we could have done differently in the semifinal. The good thing is we did not carry it into the bronze-medal match because coming back empty-handed would have been more painful. But a part of regret for the semifinals will always be there,” the former India captain told The Hindu in an exclusive interaction ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy.

Since relinquishing captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, there has been a second wind to Manpreet’s career and performance, playing with a lot more freedom. “That’s a mindset change. Earlier too I always had high expectations from myself. During Graham’s (Reid) time, I had started playing simple hockey — simple passes, no risks. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want — going up, dribbling and dodging -- but do it 100 percent, no half measures.

“Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team, watch videos, see how it could be done better. And it’s not just me, it’s for everyone, we have the licence to go anywhere if we see space. Plus I have matured too!” Manpreet explained.

With the players already back in camp at Bangalore ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy next month, Manpreet is aware that it’s time to get back to the grind. “It’s only been two weeks now and there have been several functions so it is still sinking in, the excitement of back-to-back medals won’t go away so easily. Now that we are here, the focus is back on the next event. But my family knows how to keep me grounded – the day after I reached home, I was walking my daughter to her school like always,” he laughed.

Jasmine, now 2.5 years old, is a regular presence at all India matches and Manpreet admitted she was the biggest motivation to keep performing. “It feels good to have her in the stands, you know someone is watching you all the time and cheering. A father is a role model for every kid and I want to keep getting better for her so that when she grows up, she will know what her father did and be proud. I just want to do that for her,” an emotional Manpreet said.

The other thing that makes him emotional is any comparison with the past legends of Indian hockey including the likes Pargat Singh (they belong to the same village) and Dhanraj Pillay. “May be, in terms of medals, I have achieved a little more. But they are legends, then, now and always. Jinko dekh ke aap bade hote ho aap unse bade kabhi nahi hote (you never get bigger than the ones you grow up idolising). You only keep learning from them.