Off-loading stress: Indian players make most of time in longest break

Manpreet Singh looked towards the heavens, reminiscing his break just before the Hockey India League (HIL) began, and said, "Oh! It was a wonderful time."

- Sandip Sikdar

NEW DELHI: Manpreet Singh looked towards the heavens, reminiscing his break just before the Hockey India League (HIL) began, and said, "Oh! It was a wonderful time."

Ever since the former India captain made his international debut in 2011, he had never been given a month-and-a-half long break. Top Indian hockey players spend at least 300 days a year — can rise to 330 in crucial seasons — away from home, either playing tournaments or in national camps. Moreover, these players also need to play domestic competitions for their employers or state federations when not on national duty.

Last year too, after winning a successive bronze at the Olympics in August, Harmanpreet Singh and Co were busy attending felicitation programmes. Soon, they toured China for the Asian Champions Trophy in September. In October, the Indian team played a bilateral series here against reigning world champions Germany.