Manpreet Singh, a former captain of India’s hockey team, spoke on Saturday about the team’s performance in Tokyo and Paris Olympics, saying that he hopes to play at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 if he can stay fit. India missed out on winning a gold medal in Paris. But Manpreet, who is 32 years old, said that getting another bronze medal was quite an achievement. India, who have won Olympic hockey gold eight times secured a bronze by beating Spain 2-1 in the third-place playoff in Paris.
On PTI Videos upon arrival back home, the attacking midfielder told: “Feeling really good. The last time we won the bronze and we won bronze this time as well. The mindset of the team was to play in the final but that slipped out of our grasp, but we won the bronze and feel really good receiving all this love.”
Despite playing with ten men for 43 minutes after Amit Rohidas controversial red card during their quarterfinal against Britain. It was amazing that throughout defenders kept their calmness and resilience, according to a senior player.
The closely contested encounter ended with a nail-biting penalty shootout which was ultimately taken by them. However, their quest for gold went up into smoke at semifinals where they lost to Germany.
“We train for these kind of moments. If someone gets a green card or a yellow card then how to defend but we did not think that we would get the red card. It was not the fault of Amit Rohidas. But unfortunately he got red card
According to him, “The defensive mind set of team was good and everyone defended well. We did not allow them create any easy opportunities. They created penalty corners and we defended those as well.”
Manpreet who had led Indian team that secured a bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics said goodbye to an incredible career spanning over 18 years by PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper at Paris Olympics.
Though he added there was no immediate plan for that and he still has a long way to go in hockey. He confirmed, “That (LA Olympics) is far away from us now. I will concentrate on my fitness. If everything goes well I will continue till 2028; if not let us see.”
“There’s nothing to say about that guy! We have spent 13 years together. He was my senior and he guided me; from 2012 to 2023 he guided me. Even when I was captain, he supported me as to what we have to do and what not to do, what is good and what is not,” said Manpreet about Sreejesh.
“He always encouraged me. As an individual, he is awesome and as a sportsman, he is an icon. He has done well in his life and professionally as well. It hurts me because he is like my elder brother.”
