Making The Right Strides

A tight-knit unit and a captain who knows how to lead have ensured the men’s hockey team continues to improve.

- Manpreet Singh

LAST YEAR, ahead of our opening match at the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, I was at a new low in my life. I was informed by our chief coach, Roelant Oltmans, that my father had passed away due to a cardiac arrest and that I was to return home immediately for the final rites. We had been in Ipoh, Malaysia, for about five-six days when I received this news. It was an Olympic year, the team needed me at my best and I needed my father to see me represent the country at the world’s greatest sporting event for the second time. While my team took on Japan in the first match, I returned home for the funeral. But soon after, I went back to Malaysia to join my team in their endeavour to bring good results. I needed to get back to the tournament to take my mind off the loss.