Xtra Time Web Desk: Hockey India on Tuesday named midfielder Manpreet Singh as the Captain of the 16-member Olympic-bound Indian Men’s Hockey Team. For the Vice Captain’s role, Hockey India has chosen experienced defenders Birendra Lakra and Harmanpreet Singh who are also part of the team’s leadership group.
Under Manpreet’s Captaincy, the Indian team over the past four years have achieved important milestones including winning the Asia Cup in 2017, winning the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 as well winning the FIH Series Final in 2019. The team led by Manpreet Singh also made it to the quarterfinals of the FIH Men’s World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar. They performed exceedingly well in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2020 before the pandemic disrupted the schedule. This will be Manpreet’s third Olympic Games and under his leadership, the team has also improved their world ranking as they are currently positioned at No.4.
Birendra, on the other hand, is a veteran defender who was also part of the London Olympic Games but sadly missed playing in Rio owing to a major knee surgery in 2016. But since his return to the squad following the brief break due to injury, Birendra has only grown in his performance and has been resolute in his role in the team.
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Singh since his Senior India debut in 2015 has grown in his role as a dragflicker and defender. In the absence of Skipper Manpreet in 2019, Harmanpreet led the Indian team to a win at the FIH Olympic Test event in Tokyo.
Expressing his gratitude on being named Captain of the Olympic-bound Indian Men’s team, Manpreet said, “This Olympics will be truly special, and I am humbled to have this opportunity of representing India at the Olympics for the third time, this time as team Captain. It is a very proud moment for me to be given this charge. Over these past few years, we have developed a strong leadership group and have successfully overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic to not drop our form and keep our minds and fitness focussed towards doing well at the Olympics.”
India will begin their campaign in Tokyo on 24 July 2021 when they take on New Zealand in their first Pool stage match.